Marilynn Gillingham, 92, of Ankeny and formerly of Oelwein, passed away on Tuesday June 2, 2015.  Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Sunday June 7, 2015 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Monday June 8, 2015 at the Church of Christ-East Side in Oelwein.  Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein.  Memorials may be directed to the Church of Christ-East Side and the Iowa Dept. For The Blind Library Services (Audio Books).  For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.

Marilynn was born in Oelwein on October 16, 1922 to parents Ralph and Fern (Woodward) Damon.  She graduated from Oelwein High School in the class of 1939.  On August 4, 1940 Marilynn was united in marriage with Earl Gillingham at Grace United Methodist Church in Oelwein.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Church of Christ-East Side in Oelwein.

Marilynn was very close to her church and took great pride in her family and home.  She enjoyed cooking and entertaining, loved games and playing cards.  She was a talented seamstress and a very positive person to be in the company of.

Left to celebrate Marilynn’s life are her daughters: Earlene (Edward) Hammond of Leech Lake, MN and Beverly Heldt of Ankeny; her grandchildren: Scott (Dawn), Todd, Brad and Chad Hammond, Sara (David) Wiener, Lee (Benita) and Amy Heldt; and Robin (Brett) Spahr; 10 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; her brothers: Robert, Fred, Paul and Aaron Damon; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Earl; her sisters: Irene Selby, Delores Wood and Mildred “Midge” Schmidt; her brothers: George, Ralph and John Damon.