Marilyn Kay (Misner) Shantz

Marilyn Shantz, 86, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on February 20, 2025.

Marilyn grew up in a loving family, in Grand Rapids, graduating from Creston High School. She was a little on the quiet side, but she loved to laugh and had a tender heart.

Marilyn met Richard (known to most as Dick) when he helped her and a friend when they were stranded with a flat tire on their car. They would marry about a year later and spend nearly seven decades at each other’s side, before his passing in 2024.

Marilyn worked for a short time in the office of Steketee’s department store but soon focused on being a homemaker, as she actively supported her family. Marilyn and Dick always went to games and performances for the activities of their kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Any of her family’s successes, she held it as her own.

After her kids had grown older, she went back to work as an office administrator at Detroit Ball Bearing for many years.

Marilyn (nick-named Mary Ellen by her husband) and Dick often went camping with their kids. The family would go exploring, fishing, swimming and enjoying campfires. Years later they would take the grandkids on similar adventures. Marilyn and Dick also enjoyed taking road trips with friends, often visiting Tennessee.

Marilyn loved the water; it was one of her favorite parts of camping. And she could easily find an excuse to go to Lake Michigan beaches; Or just to go to dinner near the lake and walk the pier in Grand Haven.

She was a woman of faith, involved in bible study groups and a regular attender of Calvary Church. Marilyn and Dick delivered audio tapes of Sunday services to assisted living facilities and helped process donations to the benevolence program. They supported children in Africa financially and in prayer. With a compassionate heart, she prayed fervently for those who were hurting and people in need.

Marilyn enjoyed working with her hands and helping people. She was always ready to bring a batch of her famous brownies to get-togethers.

She was a talented seamstress, making clothes for her family that people were shocked when they learned they were hand-made. Marilyn also loved gardening and tending to her backyard full of flowers.

But really, Marilyn’s favorite thing to grow were relationships with friends and family. Her quiet way was often unseen, but it made the lives of those around so much richer.

Preceded in death by her husband Richard, parents, Orville and Ardys (Peasley) Misner; sibling Jack (Claudia) Misner.

She will be missed most by her family: Children Steve (Janet) Shantz, Pam (Jeff) Senn, Dan (Trish) Shantz; Grandchildren Nate (Keilah) Shantz, Ben (Joy) Shantz, Leesha Shantz, Jess (Jack) Sinnaeve, Matt Senn, Rick Senn, Katie Shantz, Jake Shantz; Great grandchildren Sam Shantz, Beatrice Shantz, Rosie Shantz, Walt Shantz and baby Sinnaeve; sister Ruth Misner; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

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