Published on November 14, 2025 3:18 pm
Last Updated on November 14, 2025 3:18 pm
Marilyn Matilda Utz, 77, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a 5:45 p.m. rosary at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow visitation at the Effingham Event Center for family and friends. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart School. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Marilyn was born on September 10, 1948 in Effingham, IL, the daughter of Robert and Thelma (Hutmacher) Utz. She attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Effingham High School. She was a
member of Sacred Heart Parish. She worked at several Effingham area offices. They included Dr. Frazier’s medical office, W.G. Best Homes, NBS Building Systems, and Siemer Enterprise. For the last couple of years, she has been “working” at Lakeland Nursing Home’s memory care unit. This was apparently not a very good job because someone was always upset with her and she could never get a day off. Marilyn did not have any children of her own but make no mistake, Aunt Marinee had many kids. Aunt Marinee was a frequent babysitter for 17 nieces and nephews. She was also a sometimes-frequent babysitter for 37 great-nieces and nephews. She also had 27 great-great-nieces and nephews who will have to learn how to play Bingo, Rack-O, Yahtzee, Uno, Kick-the-Can, Croquet, Lawn Darts, and Chinese Checkers from someone else. They will also have to find somewhere else to learn about the bobbing water-drinking birds, pet rocks, Polaroid cameras, farting Santas, and plastic reusable ice cubes in various shapes. Aunt Marinee will be greatly missed, especially the porch swing time and the
needlepointed wedding bricks.
Marilyn is survived by her brothers, Bob, Tom, and Kevin (Kathy) Utz; sisters-in-law, Marg Utz and Carolyn Holeman; nieces and nephews, Bob (Tammy) Utz, Julie (Paul) Meinhart, Linda Workman, Bill (fiancée, Maria) Utz, Keith Utz, Cheryl (Mike) Will, Carrie (Mark) Spour, Karl (Carla) Utz, Annette (Will) Carpender, Jeff (Bretton) Utz, Chris, deceased (Kristy) Utz, Aimee (Joe) Gebben, Tracy (Jason) Utzmyers, Michael (Rachel) Utz, Mishy (Doug) Phillips, Tammy Dye, and Mike Renshaw.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Garry and Kenton; sisters-in-law, Carol and Phyllis; and nephew, Chris Utz.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to Lakeland Nursing Home’s memory care unit and Transitions Hospice, who were very helpful, especially in Marilyn’s final days. Also a very special thanks goes to Bonnie Byrnes, who was a long-time good friend of Marilyn who also visited her often once she went to the nursing home.