Marilyn Wilson

MARILYN AGNES (STEINFORD) WILSON Van Horne Marilyn Agnes (Steinford) Wilson, 81, of Zionsville, Ind., formerly a resident of Van Horne, died Dec. 10, 2016 following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne with Pastor Crystal Oberheu officiating. Interment will be held at Salem Cemetery, rural Van Horne. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone. After the internment, everyone is invited to a luncheon, which will be served at the Van Horne Community Center. Marilyn was born Jan. 7, 1935, in Vinton, Iowa, to Clarence and Agnes (Bossler) Steinford. Marilyn attended country school in Big Grove Township through fifth grade and then attended Van Horne Consolidated School District from sixth through 12th grade, graduating in 1953 as valedictorian of her class. She attended Iowa State Teachers College two years and received an elementary teaching certificate in 1958. She also attended the University of Iowa and received a B.A. in elementary education in 1961. Later, she earned an M.A. in education administration from Pepperdine University, Malibu, Calif. She taught elementary school for 38 years in West Liberty, Iowa City, Arcadia, Calif., and Orange, Calif. She loved children and especially enjoyed teaching second grade. She was a certified reading specialist and a mentor teacher. One of the highlights in her educational career was an invitation to make a presentation on teaching reading at the International Reading Association Convention held in Anaheim, Calif. On June 6, 1954, she was united in marriage to John M. Wilson, her classmate from sixth through 12th grade and later her classmate at the University of Iowa, where they graduated together in 1961. After graduation, they moved to California, where they lived and worked for 40-plus years. Upon their retirement they moved to Zionsville, Ind., to be near their grandchildren. They spent the winter months in Arizona. On June 6, 2016, they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. Marilyn was a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne and enjoyed memberships in several other organizations, including Alpha Phi Sorority, AAUW, PEO and book clubs in Sun City West, Ariz., and Zionsville, Ind. She was an exercise enthusiast who enjoyed walking, yoga and practiced and taught Tai Chi Chih. Marilyn is survived by her husband, John of Zionsville, Ind.; her son, Dr. Stephen J. (Dr. Lia S.) Wilson of Allendale, N.J.; three grandchildren, Matthew S. Wilson and twins Ainsley E. Wilson and Johnathan D. Wilson, all of Allendale; four sisters, Evelyn (Wayne) Fuller of Ames, Shirley (Don) Moody of Dubuque, Sharon (Pete) Jurgens of Marion and Kathy Miller, Fort Myers, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Carol A. Wilson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the Salem United Methodist Church, Van Horne, in memory of Marilyn. Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.