Marilyn Jean (Hill) Boehning

On Saturday, March 28, 2020, Marilyn Jean Boehning, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, was released from her earthly struggle and entered into the presence of her Savior. She was 77 years old.

Marilyn was born on May 30, 1942, in Oak Park, IL, to Milton F. and Evelyn A. (Peterson) Hill. She grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and studied Home Economics at Illinois State University. On February 17, 1962, she married Larry G. Boehning, beginning a life together that would last 58 years.

As a young child, Marilyn recognized her need for a Savior and asked God to forgive her sins and give her eternal life. Later, in her teen years, she prayed that He would allow her to marry a pastor or a missionary. When she met Larry, he was a pharmacist but was soon called into full-time ministry. After seminary training in Grand Rapids, MI, they began their ministry as church planters in the Philippines with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. In 1967, they arrived in busy metro Manila with two small children to make a life in this adopted land, where they served effectively for 12 years. Marilyn adeptly adjusted to life in Southeast Asia, giving birth to a third child while there, using her sewing skills to clothe their three children, teaching Sunday school, and graciously hosting people in her home. God used her alongside her husband to start two churches which still preach the Gospel today. After this, God brought them back to the USA where they planted another church in Cicero, IN. Later she worked as a secretary at Colonial Christian School. In each of these roles she served with grace, skill, faithfulness, and selflessness. Life was never about her.

Marilyn loved music and was a gifted marimbist who often played hymn arrangements or classical pieces in church. She was wholeheartedly devoted to her family and continually served them with quiet but strong faithfulness. She enjoyed baking with her grandchildren to pass on her finely-tuned culinary skills, attending their events to support and encourage their talents, and scrapbooking to keep memories alive. She also prayed for each of them daily.

Marilyn Boehning was a beautiful, elegant, and highly disciplined woman who served with grace, kindness and selflessness in every area. Above all, she loved her Savior, Jesus, and His Word, committing to memory hundreds of passages of Scripture even up to weeks before her death. Because of His work on the Cross and her complete faith in it, she is now released from her struggle and enjoying eternal joy and life in His presence.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her father, Milton, her mother, Evelyn, and her brother, Kenneth Hill. She is survived by her husband, Larry; their three children, Laurel (Brian) Dix, Daniel (Sheila) Boehning, and Rachelle (Dennis) Cole, her grandchildren Nathan (Megan),  Cameron, Matthew (Johanna), Payton, Brianna (Tyler), Alec, Graysen, Aubree, Ian, and Kaelynn; and great grandchildren Declan and Evelyn.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. for a Memorial Service in Colonial Hills Baptist Church, 8140 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis, IN 46240.

In memory of Marilyn, donations may be made to the Colonial Hills Baptist Church Missions Fund, 8140 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Envelopes will be available at the service.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family with arrangements.

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