Marilyn Clara Berger, 84, of Breese, IL passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at St. Lukes Hospital in Chesterfield, MO. She was born on February 20, 1940, the daughter of Ralph and Eleanor (Tyberendt) Stein in Centralia, IL.
Survivors include her beloved family, her daughter, Jacqueline Berger (Doug Wagner); her son, David (Kim) Berger; her cherished grandchildren, Jerry (Jennifer) Isaac, Hunter Dowell, Andrew Berger, and Samantha Berger; and her precious great-grandchildren, Carter, Savannah, and Lane.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Leroy Berger.
Marilyn was of the Lutheran faith. She was a hard worker and a loyal employee for Centralia Cartage Trucking Company and Kaskaskia Workshop, both in Centralia. She later was a line worker for Nascote in Nashville. Marilyn was an amazing cook, baking dishes to share with her neighbors, friends, and family. She was famous for her delicious pumpkin bars, peanut brittle, fudge, cookies and pies that everyone loved. Marilyn enjoyed time spent outdoors, fishing and tending her gardens that flourished under her green thumb. She was a fan of classic country music, listening to her favorite singers on the radio. Marilyn created beautiful quilts for family and friends. She was the St. Louis Cardinals’ biggest fan and tried to never miss a game. Marilyn liked to gather around the table to play cards and board games and make fun memories with those she played with. Marilyn loved her dog, Faith, dearly and appreciated how her dog was such good company. She was a loving Grandma who shared words of wisdom with her beloved grandchildren, proud of each one of them. Marilyn will be fondly remembered for her generous heart, strong work ethic, witty sense of humor, and the love she had for her family.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Reverend Joseph Rhodes officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in rural Sandoval. Friends and family are welcome to a visitation time from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home in Centralia. Memorials may be made in Marilyn’s honor to the Humane Society in Highland or Kaskaskia Workshop in Centralia. Online condolences and memories of Marilyn may be shared with the family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
