Marilyn June (Althof) Shipley, 80, of Freeport, IL, passed away on September 24, 2022 after suffering a stroke. Marilyn was born July 11, 1942, at Deaconess Hospital in Freeport to William K. and Cecile Mae (Flickinger) Althof. She attended Stockton High School and Highland Community College. Marilyn married Larry Shipley on December 31, 1999 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, IA.

Her career began in data processing and computer operations; employed with W.T. Rawleigh, Micro Switch, Furst McNess, King Seely Thermos and Burgess Battery; a second career as a CNA with Provena St. Joseph Nursing Home; then a cook with Open Bible Daycare and Oakley Courts.

Marilyn was a fun, loving and caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She valued time spent with family and friends, was generous and always willing to lend a helping hand. She enjoyed walking with friends and playing Pickleball. She was a member of the FOE Ladies Auxiliary. She was a natural athlete and was accomplished in bowling, tennis, golf, marathons; clogging and line dancing were her passionate recreation; and last mastering Pickleball.

Marilyn survived by her husband, Larry Shipley; one daughter, Darcey Clair (Larry) Pittsley of Freeport IL; four grandchildren, Robert and Lawrence Pittsley, both of Sanford FL, Tamara (Sean) Whalen of Rockford, Morgan (Tony) Bowers of Lisle IL; three great grandchildren, Kaylee Schoenhard, Jameson and Greyson Whalen; and Darcey's half-sister, Anne Gillespie; one brother, Allen Althof of White Bear Lake MN; three sisters, Phyllis Myers of Red Lodge MT, Wilma Anderson and Patsy (Jim) Gale, both of Freeport; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Cecile Althof; three brothers, Karl, Phillip and Eugene Althof.

Marilyn's cremains will be interred at Salem Cemetery in Loran IL.

A celebration of her life will be held on November 6, 2022 at American Garage Art, 22 W. Spring St, Freeport IL from 1-4 pm.

A memorial fund is being established in Marilyn's memory to purchase a bench at Krape Park by the pickleball courts. The family is accepting donations through PayPal at darceypittsley@gmail.com or by check to Marilyn Shipley Memorial c/o Darcey Pittsley 424 W. Garfield St. Freeport IL 61032.