Marilyn E. East

Marilyn East, 90, formerly of Richland, MI passed away peacefully on December 19, 2024 at the Oceana County Medical Care in Hart, MI. Born on April 11, 1934, Marilyn was the daughter of Bernice (Hazel) and E.W. Chalker of Kalamazoo. When she was 17, she married Walter East just prior to his being deployed to Korea. She then graduated from Richland High school, and after his return, they started married life and raised seven children – Steven (Katie), Jeff (Jenni), Nancy (Brian) Klepper, Linda East, John East, Mary (Spencer) Holwerda, and Kate (Steve) Rizor, and were blessed with 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. They were also foster parents to numerous children. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved Walt, her son John, and siblings Virginia (Don) Louis, Dorothy (Jim) Ashton, Evelyn (Earl) Hoffman, and Bill (Lil) Chalker. She had a great love for her many nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friendships that included Lorri Busick and Tara East. 

Family was important to Walt and Marilyn where quick wit and laughter surrounded the dinner table. The most often shared memories were of summer days spent at Bernice’s home on Gull Lake, where the children and their cousins swam and waterskied, and in the winter worked together at Echo Valley. Marilyn herself waterskied well into her 70’s, and she loved walking and biking. She was known to read multiple books and hold multiple phone conversations at the same time. Walt and Marilyn enjoyed taking their children on trips to Florida and grandchildren white-water rafting and visiting Washington DC. They especially enjoyed spending time at Silver Lake. Marilyn worked outside the home driving a bus for Gull Lake Schools and as a patient care technician in the Critical Care Unit at Borgess Hospital. She also volunteered by reaching out to women with children in need. Her act of kindness was baking banana bread for anyone who needing comfort. 

Marilyn was afflicted with vascular dementia several years before her passing. She was loved and well cared for by the nurses and staff at OCMCF who described her as spicy, but also thoughtful and insightful.  A celebration of life will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2025 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, starting at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will be held privately at Fort Custer National Cemetery next to her beloved Walt. Donations in her honor may be made to OCMCF-AU, 701 E. Main Street, Hart, MI 49420.  Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Richland Chapel.  Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Marilyn may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.