Marilyn D. Kuehl's Obituary
LONG CREEK- Marilyn D. Kuehl, died at home in Long Creek, IL, at the age of 79 on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 am Monday, March 2, 2026, at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Mt. Zion. Visitation will be held from 2-4 Sunday at Moran and Goebel Funeral Home with a vigil prayer service at 2 pm. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org).
Marilyn was born on July 6, 1946, in Decatur, IL the daughter of Ray and Gloria (Hirsch) Willmore. She graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1964 and from Eastern Illinois State University in 1968 with a degree in Education.
Marilyn married the love of her life, David E. Kuehl on June 29, 1968, in Decatur, IL. They celebrated over 56 years of marriage.
Marilyn began her 35-year teaching career in Clinton, IL teaching P.E. in elementary school and junior high for several years. Transferred to Decatur schools as a substitute teacher before becoming a full-time teacher at Roosevelt Junior High teaching science. She then moved to Stephen Decatur Middle School and continued to teach science. In addition, she began coaching boys’ and girls’ tennis (for 15 years) at MacArthur High School qualifying for the state tournament almost every year. She retired from teaching in 2004. During the summer months before retirement, she worked at South Side Country Club as the tennis pro teaching many members to play tennis. After retirement Marilyn volunteered at Scovill Zoo participating in mobile zoos and working with many of the animals, she especially like the big camel Seamore and would walk him around the park area by the zoo. She also did volunteer work at the STARR program, working with horses was one of her favorite things to do. She seldom met a horse she didn’t like, especially her horse Torio. Marilyn enjoyed riding horses, playing bridge, tennis and golf, and she enjoyed working part time at Red Tail Run golf course.
Marilyn is survived by her devoted and loving husband David and brother Mike Willmore and his wife Bettylynn of Florida.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws.
Marilyn and David would like to give special thanks to close friends Rob and Linda VanHootegem.
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