Marilyn J. McElfish

Marilyn J. McElfish, daughter of John and Mary (Shilling) LaRue, was born August 8, 1941, in Wapello County, Iowa. She returned to school at Indian Hills Community College in the 1970s and earned a degree in accounting. She was hired by Pedrick and Thorne Ace Hardware in Ottumwa as their bookkeeper. She retired early in 2004 after 33 ½ years of service at the hardware store. In May 2013 she became a resident of White Oak Estates in Oskaloosa. Marilyn enjoyed several different hobbies and activities through the years: gardening, reading, putting puzzles together, playing cards, cross stitching, Bunko parties, watching and feeding the birds, and in her younger years, she was on bowling league at Champion Bowl in Ottumwa. Her family includes her daughter: Kristine (& Mike) Laudermilch of Oskaloosa; eight grandchildren: Kevin (& Angie) McElfish, Stephanie (& Cody), Sara Hobbs, Misty (& Cory) Grade, Kory (& Trisha) Hobbs, Brice, Randi (Nikki), and Lorinda McElfish; eleven great grandchildren: Madison, Shayne, Dayton, MacKenzie, Skylar, Zack, Joseph, Spencer, Will, Samuel, and Carter; siblings: Tom LaRue of Ottumwa, Don (& Linda) LaRue of Ottumwa, Larry (& Sheila) LaRue of Arkansas, John (& Ursula) LaRue of Milton, Ted (& Tamara) LaRue of Virginia, Ruby (& Allen) Ehret of Arizona, Angela “Andy” (& Ron) Skinner of Ottumwa, Tammy Sue (& Jim) Robertson of Douds, IA, and Mary Ann (& Dick) Clark of Eldon; and a sister-in-law, Judy LaRue of Eldon. In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by two sons: Billy Dean and Randy McElfish; a brother, Ron LaRue and a sister-in-law, Iola “Judy” LaRue. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 1, 2014, at First Pentecostal Assembly of God in Ottumwa with Pastor Richard Schlotter and Pastor Luke Willis officiating. As was her wish, Marilyn’s body has been cremated. In urnment will be in Chisman Cemetery. Family visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28 at the First Pentecostal Assembly of God. In lieu of flowers, Marilyn requested memorials be made to the St. Luke’s Childrens Research Hospital. Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa is entrusted with the arrangements. Memories, condolences and memorial contributions may be sent at gvlfuneralchapel.com.

Marilyn J. McElfish

August 8, 1941 - February 22, 2014