Marilyn J. Feaver (nee Schneider), 86, of St. Marys, Ohio, died peacefully at home early on July 22, 2016, following a short illness. Cherished wife of 58 years to the late Rev. Laurence E. “Laurie” Feaver; beloved mother of Nancy (Mike) Radke, Deb (Dave) Comodeca, Tim (Dewi) Feaver, and Jon Feaver (Vern Duba). Devoted grandmother of Nathan (Amy), Kristin and Ben Feaver, and Lyn and Jenny Radke. Beloved sister of Shirley (Robert) Bruns, and the late Olive (Earl) Hill, and Vincent (Elaine) Schneider; beloved sister-in-law of the late Raymond (Gladys) and Stanley (Virginia) Feaver. Dearest aunt, cousin and friend to many.

Marilyn was born June 18, 1930, in Fargo, North Dakota. She was the youngest of Ben and Mary (Liechty) Schneider's four children, and spent her early childhood on their family farm. Marilyn's father died while she was still a young teen, and she and the rest of her family returned to Wauseon, Ohio, where her mother, Mary, had grown up. Marilyn and her mother also went on to stay in New York City with her brother Vincent and his family for a time, before returning to Wauseon and settling there permanently.

Marilyn graduated from Wauseon High School in 1948, and went on to North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where she met the love of her life, Laurie Feaver. On June 29, 1952, following her graduation from NCC, Marilyn and Laurie were married, and the two embarked together on a lifelong adventure of love for each other, and commitment to ministry. Laurie was ordained in the Evangelical United Brethren (now United Methodist) Church in 1954, and Marilyn and her young family left Illinois, returning to Ohio, first serving in Celina, and over the years in West Independence, Bucyrus, Toledo, Westerville, Wilmington, and Fostoria. Laurie was much loved for his dynamic preaching, and fun-loving personality, but Marilyn was equally beloved for her kind heart, her gentle spirit, and her great appreciation always for the people around her, and the “little things in life”. They were a perfect team.

Marilyn and Laurie both loved to travel, and in younger days, greatly enjoyed taking their children on long road trips, eventually visiting all of the lower 48 states. After retiring to St. Marys in 1991, they embarked on several cruises, and finally completed their “U.S. Tour” by visiting Alaska and Hawaii, as well as venturing to the Panama Canal, Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean. They also travelled to Europe several times. Marilyn had a particular fondness for England, the Cotswolds, and the British Isles, Laurie's ancestral homeland, which they visited several times. Following Laurie's death in 2010, Marilyn still enjoyed “cruising” occasionally with her sister's family, or with friends, and she also loved the “short road trips”, back to Wauseon, or over to Walnut Creek, or to “The Golden Lamb”, or to Ohio State football games.

Marilyn had a great love for life, for her family, for her friends, and for whatever people and adventures greeted her each day. She was a blessing to all who knew her, and will be dearly missed.

Friends may greet the family at the Meyer Community Chapel, Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community, State Route 364, St. Marys, Ohio, on Monday, August 15, beginning at 10:00 AM.. Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM, the Rev. Dennis Gaertner and the Rev. William McOmber officiating, with a luncheon to follow. Inurnment Tuesday, August 16, at 11:30 A.M., at Union Cemetery, Road D, Pettisville, Ohio.

Condolences and remembrances may be sent to the family c/o Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilyn's name to the Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community or to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Arrangements by Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, Ohio, 419-394-4632. www.millerfuneralhomes.net

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