Marilyn Arlene Bain

her side. She was born at home in Toledo, Iowa, the oldest child of Floyd Pugh and Hazel

(Gray) Pugh. She was a devoted big sister to three younger siblings.

During high school, she loved singing and acting in school plays. She had a beautiful singing

voice and often sang solos in church choirs. She graduated from Toledo High School in 1945

and, soon after, moved to the “big city,” Cedar Rapids. There she began working for the Cedar

Rapids Gazette. She met and then married Donald Blahnik in 1948. They had six children

together and moved to Peoria, Illinois in 1960 where she lived the remainder of her long life.

She married Ernest Bain in 1975 and, in retirement, they enjoyed many winter trips to warm

climates in their motorhome. She was a long time member of United Presbyterian Church.

Raising six children became her vocation and focus for decades. She worked extremely hard to

provide a loving home and despite some challenging times she worked creatively to make

ends meet and assure she instilled her values of kindness, love, humility and faith in her

children.

Marilyn also worked for many years in the Peoria area as a secretary and bookkeeper.

In her later years, she amazed us all with her sharp memory and wit. Remarkably for her age,

she mastered texting on her cell phone and was able to communicate regularly with her family

sending photos and messages ( with lots of emojis) until weeks before her death.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, her husband Ernie, her sister Marjorie Wilson, brother

Leonard Pugh and grandson Joseph Patrick Blahnik.

She is survived by her brother, Richard Pugh, her children Susan ( Gary) Weed of Louisville,Ky,

Joe ( Debbie) Blahnik of East Peoria, Cindy ( Herb) Ritchell of Northbrook, Il, Lori ( Dave

Roethe) Blahnik, Jeff (Brooke) Blahnik of Germantown Hills and John (Judy) Blahnik of

Germantown Hills, and by 15 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Marilyn’s family is planning a private celebration of her life.

Words of comfort can be shared with the Bain family at www.Davison-Fulton.com