Marilyn Ferch

Obituary of Marilyn FerchMarilyn Esther Ferch, 80, of Ocala, FL (formerly of Fox Lake, IL) passed away December 11, 2014 at Hospice of Marion County Legacy House. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Arthur Joseph Ferch, her parents, Lee Bond and Louora Jane (Clouse) Whitezel, her brothers, Keith Whitezel and Karl Whitezel. She is survived by her sister, Jeanette Ent, her half sister Anna DeLee Sparr, and her children, Eileen Bende, Kenneth Ferch and Carolyn Ferch-Kreuser. Marilyn will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her including son-in-laws Michael Bende and James Kreuser, step-granddaughter Rebecca Bende, lifelong friends, artist friends, and those from her church.Mrs. Ferch's gentle, loving spirit was obvious to anyone who met her. Her upbeat attitude showed with a twinkle in her eyes even after Parkinson's took her ability to show facial expressions. She was the most loving mother to her three children and step-granddaughter. She lived her faith openly and volunteered as a grief counselor at her church for many years. She loved to read the Bible and talk to those who asked what it meant to be a Christian. She was a prayer warrior lifting up our nation and anyone she knew was in need. Her life's passion was art. As an accomplished watercolor artist her works are currently displayed in businesses, universities, hospitals, private collections, and in the homes of friends and family. She loved to paint on location and could be found during the summers with friends as they painted various scenes in Chicago. She took two trips to Greece and one to Switzerland with artist groups which inspired many of her later works. She painted as long as she could until Parkinson's took those abilities as well. Even then she taught others to draw and paint. Her last outing prior to hospice was to the Fine Arts Fair in downtown Ocala. The public is invited to attend a memorial service in celebration of Marilyn's life at 10:00 a.m. on January 24, 2015 at Willow Creek Church (in the Chapel), 67 E. Algonquin Road, South Barrington, IL 60002. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Eileen Bende 5850 SE 87th Street, Ocala FL 34476-9096. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Marilyn's name to the APDA (American Parkinson's Disease Association) Midwest Chapter, 1800 N. Main Street, Suite 215, Wheaton, IL 60187. Website: http://www.apdamidwest.org/

Marilyn Ferch

December 31, 1969 - December 11, 2014