Born November 11, 1938 in Pekin to William Blackburn and Thelma Harmon, she married Gene Hilst. She later married Ronald R. Beever, Sr. on August 12, 1983 in Pekin. He died October 7, 2015 in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Luis Harmon; three children, Jerry Hilst, Bobby Hilst and Diane Hoyle; four brothers, Kenny, Bill, Larry and Junior Harmon and one sister, Beverly Jones.
Surviving are four children, Ron (Jane) Hilst, Steve Hilst both of Pekin, Sandy (Mark) Hilst of Missouri and Eddie Hilst of Pekin; 18 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Marilyn worked as a nurse aid for various facilities caring for the elderly and worked at Casey’s General Store.
She enjoyed shopping, reading, camping and going to rodeos. She also loved animals, especially dogs and had four of her own.
Marilyn was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Pekin.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, August 29, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor W. Lloyd Brock will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be given to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60707 or American Cancer Society, One East Wacker, Suite 1500, Chicago, Illinois 60601.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
