Kristine Marie (Lee) Marler

Kristine passed away on Tuesday, March 24th, at the Marion VA Hospital surrounded by her partner, family and caregiver. She was born in Streator, Illinois on November 30, 1951 to Orville and Barbara (Hoban) Lee. She was preceded by her parents, stepfather Garry Gilbert, and her grandparents.

She is survived by her partner, Terry Wardrup and siblings: Howard Lee, Sharon (Larry) Sherertz, Vicki (Tom) Anderson, Ron Lee and Paula (Bill) Holder. Also, surviving are the following nieces and nephews: Amy (Creston) O’Neal, John Thomas Anderson III, Josh (Cindy) Sherertz, Jordan Krumrey, Kelley (Chad) Harmon and Erin Scott. Great Nieces are Ani Anderson, Lexi O’Neal, Bristol and Masyn, step-nieces and step-nephews.

Kristine graduated from Marion High School in 1969. She had an Associate’s degree from John A Logan and a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University.

She served in the Navy from 1972-1993 with the rank of E6 Petty Officer 1st Class as a Jag officer. She was in the Navy Reserve from 1993-2003. She served as the Post Commander for the American Legion Post #26 in Mesa, Arizona eight different terms and as an Adjutant General for the Post. She was employed as a part-time medical transcriptionist for the VA hospital system in Mesa, Arizona.

She enjoyed watching the Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys. Her hobbies included reading, crossword puzzles, watching old black and white movies and doing Diamond Dotz paintings.

We give a BIG thank you to the nursing staff and her doctors at the Marion VA hospital as they took great care of Kristine in her final days and during her long battle. We would also like to thank her caregiver, Carmen Mifflin, for the past four years of care; and close friends, Renee Woodson, Kelsie Woodson and Monica Housley.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Binkley-Ross Funeral Home. Graveside services at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery are pending.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Legion.