Marilyn Mattern Mills
Marilyn Mattern Mills, 91, of Lower Salem, Ohio passed away peacefully at her home on July 9, 2024 surrounded by family.
She was born January 24, 1933 in Cadiz, Ohio, daughter of Elmo and Edith (Freeburn) Mattern. Marilyn graduated Cadiz High School in 1951. She attended Muskingum University and transferred to Ohio State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology with an emphasis on microbiology on June 10, 1955. Marilyn worked as a laboratory technician prior to marrying her husband and starting a family. During her college years she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. While raising four children she somehow found time to remain very active in the community. A member of the Presbyterian Church, local bridge clubs and cooking groups, American Quarter Horse Association, OSU President’s Club, and Ohio Farm Bureau. She was an avid golfer and was 5 time Marietta Country Club champion. Her biggest enjoyment besides watching and engaging in her children’s many activities was spending time on the family farm with her many horses and cattle. Countless hours of bailing hay, mucking stalls, and caring for her cherished animals over the years is where Marilyn found solace. She also was a remarkable bridge player and enjoyed the competition with her friends at the O’Neill Center.
In 1959 she married James M. Mills, DDS, who preceded her in death on September 17, 2021. They were married 62 years. Surviving are her children : Alison (Dennis) Dunlap, James A. (Kathy) Mills, John (Lenee) Mills MD, and Meredith (Les) Mills-Weimer, DVM ; 10 grandchildren : Alex (Meg) and Jillian Dunlap, Jacob, Andrew (Jordan), Madlynn Mills, Reagan, McKenna, Kayden and Jack Mills and Ian Weimer; and 4 great grandchildren Shay, Micah, James, and Winslow. She is also survived by her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded also in death by her beloved sisters Nancy Happel and Connie North.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Kelli Cawley and all the hospice nurses and staff for their care and concern for Marilyn’s well-being and comfort. A special thank you to her caregivers Nancy Payne, Jeanann Hartman, and Mahala Hanes and Jozi Covey. Special gratitude to her dear friend Victoria Garten for all the joy she brought to her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Village of Lower Salem, Hearts and Hands 4 Paws and the Mills Animal Fund for Animal Welfare through the Marietta Community Foundation.
The family will greet friends on July 26, 2024 between the hours of 6 and 8 PM at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral home. A memorial service will be held July 27th at 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church with a reception to immediately follow. Assisting the family and messages of sympathy may be sent to www.Lankfordfh.com.