Marilyn Joan Falk age 85 of Parkville passed away peacefully on January 16th 2025 with her family by her side. She was Born in Chicago on Dec 7th,1939 to Doris (Taylor) Sherwood and Charles Criscuolo.
A 1958 graduate of Kelvyn Park high school in Chicago. She married Herb Stephenson in 1958 later divorced. She married the love of her life Ken Falk on July 22,1973, they were married for 42 years before his passing in 2015.
Marilyn moved to Parkville in 1967 as a single mother with 4 children. She was a strong- willed woman who was a great role model of what strength, kindness and hard work will do. Everyone that knew her knew that they would be greeted with a smile and a kind word.
With the school bus stop in front of her house, during cold weather she welcomed neighborhood kids into the house to stay warm.
When Mendon high school did not have a wrestling coach, she boldly stepped into the position, possibly becoming Michigan’s first female high school wrestling coach.
Her first job was at Wimpy’s Hamburgers in downtown Chicago. She worked seasonal jobs for many years, with her favorites being asparagus picking at Constantine farms, planting flowers at Hoeksema Bros Greenhouse, and corn harvests at Pioneer and Monsanto’s. She also did in home care through Hospice.
She enjoyed gardening, canning, and crocheting. She loved a good garage sale as well as wandering through Goodwill. She was an artist at heart and had so much creativity from crafts to stained glass to carving her famous pumpkins. Spending time with her family gave her the most joy, especially her grandchildren.
She is survived by daughter Merrilyn Bannow of Jones, daughter Chris (Jessie) Hodges of Parkville, son Clancy (Brenda) Stephenson of Three Rivers, son Art (Holly) Stephenson of Three Rivers, Stepson Lee (Diane) Karn of Cassopolis, stepdaughter Deb Triolo of Denver Co, sister Louise Parish, sister Nancy (Bob) Glasner, and brother Jim (Virginia) Sherwood, as well as many nieces and nephews. Known as Grandma “Ner Ner” to her 18 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ken Falk, stepson Cliff Stephenson, son-in- laws David Bannow, Jerry Dentler, Gary Triolo, daughter-in-law Effie Annette Stacks.
Keeping with her wishes cremation has been conducted. The family will receive friends on Saturday February 1st From 1:00pm until 3:00pm at Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon, with a memorial service beginning at 3:00pm.
Memorials can directed to Centrica Hospice, Birch Meadows Senior Care of Three Rivers or a charity of one’s choice.
