MENDOTA - Marilyn Lee King, 80, of Peru, formerly of Mendota, passed away June 5, 2021 after a year long struggle with cancer.

Church services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 19 at First United Methodist Church, Mendota with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 18 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. If you can attend the visitation or church service, Marilyn would have loved for everyone to wear something purple.

Marilyn was born Jan. 17, 1941 in LaSalle to Clarence and Alvina (Lipka) Rich. She married Richard Arthur King of Mendota on Oct. 8, 1958. They were together a grand total of 66 years - as they dated for three years in high school.

Survivors include her husband, Rick; their two children, David (Julia) King of Concord, N.C. and LeeAnn King (Wallace) Bailey of DeLand, Fla; two grandchildren, Julia Alexandra King and Richard Andrew King; one sister, Carol Ann (Rich) Neuhalfen; a sister-in-law, Barbara Rich; and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Clarence Rich and Wayne Rich; and a brother-in-law, Larry Neuhalfen.

Marilyn attended Ophir/Triumph schools and graduated from Mendota High School in 1958, where she was an “A” student. Rick and Marilyn led an adventurous life together, having lived in a total of 24 places during their married life. This includes locations in and around Mendota, R.I., Calif., Ga., Fla. and for many years Jamestown, N.C. They also traveled all over the United States – visiting 48 of the 50 states including Hawaii and also traveled to Mexico and Germany. Marilyn worked for many years for Black Bros. in High Point, N.C. and Mendota. She managed the Sincerely Yours card shop in Greensboro, N.C. and helped run King Implement of Mendota. She was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Mendota and was very active in their semi-annual garage sale. She was also a member of Mendota Elks Lodge 1212.  

Marilyn loved animals very much, as she grew up on a farm. To list her favorite dogs, cats, horses and cattle would fill an entire page. They bred Chow Chows and Westies and had innumerable other pets. She also loved flowers and gardening and was a winner more often than not at the slots. Marilyn will be very much missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First United Methodist Church, Mendota or Friends of Strays Animal Shelter, Princeton. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.