Marilyn Belle McKenzie

Marilyn Belle (Rentfro) McKenzie, age 78, of Marion, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 17th, at The Anchor in Marion, Illinois.

Marilyn was born on January 16th, 1948 in Harrisburg, Illinois to Frank and Ethel Rentfro. She grew up in Crab Orchard, Illinois, where she attended Crab Orchard United Methodist Church and graduated from Crab Orchard High School in 1966. She earned a degree in Home Economics from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She married her high school sweetheart, Charlie McKenzie, on December 21st, 1968, and they enjoyed 52 years of marriage before his death in 2021.

Marlyn had a 30-year career in various administrative roles at Southern Illinois University, most notably, the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. She loved to take care of her family and friends, and especially her four, dearly loved grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook, gardener and lover of numerous creative pursuits.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Amie (McKenzie) Patrick of Webster Groves, Missouri, her grandchildren; Glory, Grace, Drew and Delainey Patrick, and her brother, Frank Rentfro, of Marion. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son-in-law, Darrin Patrick, and her sister-in-law, Terri Rentfro.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Blue Funeral Home, under the direction of Binkley-Ross Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 23rd at 1:30pm at Blue Funeral Home, with Reverend John Howard officiating. Visitation will precede the service from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. Private entombment will follow at Egyptian Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum in Energy.

Please visit www.binkleyross.com to leave online condolences.