Marcelline Ambuehl, age 93, of Salem, passed away Sunday morning, February 22, 2026, at Twin Willows Nursing Center, surrounded by her family. She was born on November 13, 1932, in rural Kinmundy, Illinois, the youngest child of Retus and Lora Verona (Wilkinson) Gentry. She married her one and only love, LaVerne Ambuehl, at the Kinmundy Methodist Church on December 24, 1950. They shared 56 years of marriage before his passing in April of 2007. They were the parents of five children: Kevin, Janeen, Kolin, Kyle, and Todd.
Marcelline is survived by her daughter, Janeen Hawley and husband Greg, sons Kolin Ambuehl, Kyle Ambuehl and wife Lisa, and Todd Ambuehl and wife Alisha, all of Salem; grandchildren, Lacey (Hawley) Hight and husband Ken, Chad Hawley and wife Sara, Blaine Hawley, Tyler Ambuehl and wife Shanna, Garrett Ambuehl, Amber Ambuehl, Ashley Ambuehl, Cassie Ambuehl and special friend Trisha Turnbough, Max Ambuehl, Natalie Ambuehl, Lindsay Harper and husband Dillon, Logan Bolton and wife Ashley; great-grandchildren Kaetlyn (Hight) Tuttle and husband Caleb, Keira Hight and fiancé AJ Johnson, Jackson and Emma Hawley, Christian, Jenna, Ava, and Madison Ambuehl, Carson Parrish and special friend Hailey Lane, Gavin, Gabby, and Gage Harper, and Isaac and Raegan Bolton; great-great-granddaughter Remi Tuttle, as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Marcelline was preceded in death by her husband, LaVerne Ambuehl, son Kevin Ambuehl, who drowned in 1969 at the age of 17, parents Retus and Lora Gentry, sister Imogene Williams, brother Basil Gentry, and a brother who died in infancy.
Marcelline was a member of the graduating class of 1950 at Kinmundy-Alma High School. After her marriage, she and LaVerne resided on a farm in rural Farina, where she was a supportive, hard-working farm wife until the family moved to Salem in 1973. She was a fabulous cook and baker, known for her cream puffs, apple dumplings, fruit pizza, divinity, and coconut bonbons. She was a meticulous seamstress, sewing clothes for her daughter and herself throughout the years, as well as the occasional leisure suit for her sons in the 1970s. She was the perfect example of a great mother-in-law; her encouragement and support were always spot on. She reconnected with childhood friends from Kinmundy in her later years and enjoyed all the adventures and outings they had together. In the latter years of her life, Marcelline received kind and loving care from Genny Saatkamp, and in the final months was treated with respectful and tender care by the staff of Twin Willows Nursing Center.
Marcelline was a faithful and loyal member of the First Apostolic Church in Centralia, where she formerly taught Sunday School and supported any and all endeavors of the church. She was beloved by her church family. Marcelline was a devoted believer and follower of Jesus Christ for many decades, exhibiting her love for Him in her actions and deeds, not just in words. She and LaVerne are revered by their family, and their influence will continue into eternity.
A time of visitation for friends and family will be held on Sunday, March 1st, 2026, at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home Chapel in Salem from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, March 2nd, 2026, at 11:00 am at the First Apostolic Church of Centralia, with Pastor Jon Urshan officiating. A time of visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service at the Church. Burial will follow at the Farina Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Apostolic Church of Centralia and will be accepted at Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home, PO Box 97, Salem, Illinois 62881. Online condolences may be left at www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home Facebook page.
