Marilyn Lee Houseworth

Marilyn Lee Houseworth, 73, of Berrien Center, departed for the Celestial Heaven on Friday, March 10, 2017, at Lakeland Hospital, Niles.



A Celebration service will be at noon Friday, March 17, at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Sodus, with visitation from 10 a.m. until noon, and Rev. Mark Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Berrien Center. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. Online messages www.bowermanfuneral.com.



Marilyn was born May 30, 1943, in Benton Harbor to Earl and Helen Farmer. She was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School. She married Gale Houseworth October 18, 1975. They were married for 41 years, with a prior marriage to James Ertman for 13 years. Marilyn was a bookkeeper for Farm Bureau Oil Co. for 30 years before retiring in 2005.



Marilyn had many hobbies: baking, needlepoint, gardening, looking for antiques. She also enjoyed traveling with her family and sisters. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and programs.



She is survived by her husband, Gale; sons, Michael Houseworth and Jon Ertman; daughters, Chris (Joe) Visin and Annette (Brian) Ratter; grandchildren: Chad Cooper, Jennifer, Tom, Lauren and Nicole Visin, B.J. and Jessica Ratter; four great-grandchildren; sisters: Janet (Bob) Hahn, Joyce Corwin, Wilma Lange; step-siblings, Dale Detwiler and Carol Smith; brother-in-law, Bob (Judy) Houseworth.



She was preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Carl Corwin; brother-in-law, Charlie Lange; and sister-in-law, Barbara Houseworth.