Marilyn K. DeRuiter's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Marilyn K. (Hayes) DeRuiter, age 72 of Charleston, passed away in the comfort of her home and while in the loving presence of her family on Sunday, September 8, 2013. The Funeral Mass will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2013 in the St. Philip Neri Chapel at the Newman Catholic Center located at 500 Roosevelt Avenue on the EIU Campus in Charleston, with Father John Titus presiding. Visitation for family and friends will also be held Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Newman Catholic Center. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Bethalto, Illinois. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Newman Catholic Center, Lincolnland Hospice or to the American Cancer Society. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or funeral mass or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Marilyn was born on June 14, 1941 in Alton, Illinois, the daughter of the late Hubert J. and Grace A. (White) Hayes. Many will remember her by her nickname ""Susie"". She married Garret W. DeRuiter on September 7, 1963 in East Alton, IL and they shared 48 wonderful years of marriage and friendship prior to his death on May 1, 2012. She is survived by three daughters, Lauri DeRuiter-Willems and husband John of Charleston, Leslie Kaye DeRuiter of Phoenix, AZ and Margaret Ann Combs of Oak Park, IL; six grandchildren, Danielle and Taylor Gadus, Garret , Kenneth and Morgan Hudson and Evangelina Combs; two brothers, Larry (Judith) Hayes of Bethalto, IL and Robert Hayes of Millstadt, IL; and, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Marilyn earned both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. As a promoter of exercise and good health, Marilyn was also co-owner of The Fitness Club from its' establishment in the mid 1970's until 1988. She was then employed by Lake Land College Center for Business and Industry before accepting the position as Director of the Business and Technology Institute at Eastern Illinois University, a position she held for ten years. She was a member of the Newman Catholic Center and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Charleston. She also held membership in P.E.O. Chapter CF, the EIU Annuitant's Association, various professional and civic organizations, as well as the Charleston Country Club where she was an avid golfer. Marilyn was filled with a sense of adventure and was a joy to be with. She was an amateur pilot and shared exciting stories about high ropes training and zip line adventures. She was a world-wide traveler and enjoyed traveling extensively with husband, Garret. Marilyn was a loyal friend to many and cherished her many friendships. She realized the importance of family - her children and grandchildren always remained priorities in her life. She knew that time spent with them would create enduring and loving memories. Marilyn's warm and endearing smile was shared with all she met, and it along with her other qualities of kindness, gentleness, humor, compassion and love will be fondly remembered but forever missed by all who knew her.Marilyn was filled with a sense of adventure and was a joy to be with. She was an amateur pilot and shared exciting stories about high ropes training and zip line adventures. She was a world-wide traveler and enjoyed traveling extensively with husband, Garret. Marilyn was a loyal friend to many and cherished her many friendships. She realized the importance of family - her children and grandchildren always remained priorities in her life. She knew that time spent with them would create enduring and loving memories. Marilyn's warm and endearing smile was shared with all she met, and it along with her other qualities of kindness, gentleness, humor, compassion and love will be fondly remembered but forever missed by all who knew her.
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