Marian Virginia Hileman, 87, a lifetime resident of Marshall County, died of natural causes in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth, at 6 a.m. on Friday, May 6, 2011.
A woman of sturdy strength, honesty and virtue, she will be greatly missed by many friends and acquaintances not only in the local community but across the state.
Marian was born in Inwood, on January 31, 1924, the youngest daughter of Albert and Dora Scheetz Furry. She was lovingly known as one of the “Furry” sisters whom often laughed about all the “Furry” cousins that they had brought into the world.
She grew up on the family farm on the Leesburg Road south Plymouth and attended Inwood School for eight years and graduated from Lincoln High School in Plymouth in 1942. She thoroughly enjoyed meeting monthly with “the girls of 42” when her health allowed.
During the war, Marian loved playing short-stop for several women’s softball teams and even helped the City Women’s Softball team make it to the State Finals.
On June 6, 1947, in the family’s country home, Marian and Robert “Bob” Hileman were married. They first lived in Logansport where Bob had his first teaching job. They then moved to Argos where he taught and coached for seven years.
In 1957, the family returned to Plymouth where he was teacher, coach and Athletic Director at Plymouth High School. A homemaker primarily, Marian worked part-time at the Elevator, Farm Bureau Insurance and then as a secretary for ten years at M.E. Goble Supply, Plymouth. Her main job during her husband’s Bob’s 24 years at Plymouth High School’s Athletic Director was as his unpaid assistant. She devoted hours each week to make sure that tickets were marked, schedules were typed and uniforms were ready. She and Bob both dearly loved Plymouth Athletics and often reminisced about many different athletic events – especially the Football State Championship in 1977 that son David was part of and the unforgettable Basketball State Championship in 1982. Before class systems came into IHSAA sports, these championships were especially treasured. Marian worked behind the scenes to organize ticket draws, transportation and all the necessary details to make these events go smoothly.
As a couple, Marian and Bob enjoyed watching all Plymouth High School sports teams, college and professional sports – especially the Chicago Cubs.
Family was the most important thing in Marian’s life. Her unselfish example will always be remembered. She was always there for children, grandchildren and great grandchildren when ever she was needed. She had a true servant’s heart and was a natural caregiver. Especially poignant to the family is her homegoing coming during Mothers’ Day Week which is exactly ten years after husband Bob went home to be with His Lord.
Bob and Marian had four children: Karen Ann Erbse, now deceased. Karen’s children are Andy and Brenda Erbse, Fishers, Ind. and Betsy and Brett Sears, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Daughter Linda and her husband (Larry) Mann, Plymouth, also survive together with their son, Eric (Beth) Mann, also of Plymouth.
Daughter, Judy Kay and her husband (Mike) Delp of Plymouth survive along with their three children, Michael (Heather) Delp, Plymouth Erica (Jay) Sefton, Columbia City, Ind., and Adam Delp, Denver, Colo.
Bob and Marian’s son, David Hileman, Plymouth, survives as well.
Marian is survived by 10 great grandchildren: Kyser and Kadin McCrammer, Easton and Rylee Mann all of Plymouth, Gage, Bryce, Drake and Ciera Sefton of Columbia City, and Taylor and Trey Delp also of Plymouth.
Marian was preceded in death by her husband who died on May 10, 2001, her daughter Karen Erbse, a granddaughter, Krista Delp and a brother, Anthony Furry. Three sisters have also preceded her in death: Dorothy DeMont, Margaret Irwin and Helen Meeker.
Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, May 8, 2011, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services for Marian will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, May 9, 2011, in the TrinityUnited Methodist Church, 425 S. Michigan St., Plymouth, where she was a member. The Rev. Kerry O’Brien, pastor of the church, will officiate.
Marian will be laid to rest beside her loving husband in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
.Memorial gifts may be made to the Robert and Marian Hileman Scholarship Fund, c/o Marshall County Community Foundation or to the Trinity United Methodist Church 425 South Michigan Street Plymouth, IN 46563
Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website: www.johnson-danielson .com
