Marilyn Cleland Obituary

Marilyn Cleland, 84, of Gambier, Ohio, passed away peacefully 0n July 19, 2025, surrounded by four generations of family and friends. She was born May 25, 1941, to Homer and Catherine Hickson in Morrow County, Ohio.
In 1960, Marilyn married the love of her life, John Cleland, and together they built a beautiful life centered around family, faith, and service. Marilyn dedicated her life and career to helping others as a full time wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and professionally as an adult case worker at Moundbuilders in Newark, Ohio, where she touched many lives with compassion and kindness.
A devoted member of Community Christian Fellowship, Marilyn was active in the church family she loved. Her faith was a guiding light throughout her life. Marilyn had a warm, generous spirit and a gift for making others feel at home---often with a fresh cup of coffee and something sweet from the kitchen. She was known for her love of cooking, especially her delicious strawberry-rhubarb pie and her famous brownies. Above all, Marilyn cherished family.
She found great joy in spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren,creating memories and sharing her boundless love. She was a woman of deep and abiding faith, lived by scriptural imperatives and taught those principles directly and by example. She is remembered by her smile, kindness, and help in any situation. Her actions were directed by prayer and advice from Bible study' After years of raising and caring for family, she realized a life-long dream and at age 52, achieved a Social Work degree from Mt Vernon Nazarene College and had a ten year career as an adult case worker.
Marilyn is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, John Cleland, her children, Ann Lehman (Eric), Jay Cleland (Sonja), Troy Cleland (Melissa), and Josh Cleland Kelley), grandchildren Whitney Kandel (Joe Caukins), Lauren Norris (Broderick), Jeremy and Christopher Cleland, Aslinn Bartheld (Tyler), Elley and Tess Cleland, Great grandchildren Drake, Deryka, Alyssa,Kinley Everly, Aubry, Rhett, and Remis. Marilyn is also survived by her brother Ronald Hickson and sister Lu Ann Bay. In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by a brother David Hickson.
A memorial service will be held at Community Christian Fellowship on August 2nd at 11:00 am with a meal provided by the church at 12:30 pm following the service.
Marilyn's legacy of love, faith and devotion will continue to live in all who knew and loved her.
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