Marilyn was born on June 24, 1929, in Boston, Indiana to the late Lucian B. and Orpha P. (Hobbs) McDowell.
In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her first husband, Lester Fourman, her second husband, Daniel Nealeigh; her sisters, Pauline Robbins, Marilyn's twin sister, Mary Dees, Martha Lockwood, and Jenny Lybarger.
Marilyn was a creative person. She loved music and taught herself how to play the organ and piano and could play any song by ear. She had many passions in life; she loved reading, boating, and going out to eat with friends and family. She loved crafting, or as she would say, "purdying things up". She had an amazing sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh, or laughing at herself. She loved her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marilyn is survived by her children and their spouses, Kim and Dan Smith of New Paris, Ohio, and Linda and Tom Kowaleski of Richmond, Indiana; two step-daughters, Martha Jane Dickey of Greenville, and Peggy Nealeigh of Greenville; her six grandchildren and their spouses, Kelly Daniell of Greenville, Jason and Heather Downey of Troy, Ohio, Benjamin Smith of Columbus, Ohio; Eric Smith and his fiance Franchesca Hackworth of New Paris, LaDna and Frank Hylton of Spring Creek, Nevada, and Billie Jo and Alberto Jasso of Union City, Indiana; five step-grandchildren, Melissa Preston of Bradford, Ohio, Stanley Whipp of Lakeland, Florida, Scott Whipp of Greenville, Sonja Elliot of Greenville, Tonya and Lonnie Beam of Greenville; six great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; her sisters, Patricia Swihart of Richmond, Indiana, and Joan McDowell-Paddock of Dayton, Wyoming; numerous step-great and great-great-grandchildren; her close friends Walt and Helen Rich of Greenville, and countless nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Marilyn's life will be held at 1PM on Friday, June 21, 2019 with Pastor David Florkey officiating at Tribute Funeral Homes, Greenville Campus. Buial will follow in Greenville Township Memorial Gardens.
Family and friends may visit with Marilyn's family from 11AM until the time of the funeral at 1PM at the funeral home.
Online memorials may be shared with the family at www.tributefuneralhomes.com