Marilyn J. Wells, 101, of Fairbury, passed away on Thursday morning, May 29 th , 2025, at
Fairview Haven Retirement Community. Cremation rites have been accorded.

A short church service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury at 1:00
p.m. on Sunday, June 8th, 2025. A Celebration of Life will follow until 3:00 p.m. at the
church. Burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of
Fairbury, Fairview Haven Retirement Community, or South Eastern Livingston County
Ambulance Service (SELCAS).

Marilyn was born on February 18, 1924, in Fairbury, IL, the daughter of Earl and Mayme
(Hieronymus) Payne. She married Lloyd S. Wells on March 18, 1945, in Springfield, IL.
He preceded her in death on May 24, 2004.

Marilyn is survived by her three daughters: Janet (Stephen) Veomett, of Honolulu; Judy
Wells, of Fairbury; and Connie (Dale) Maley, of Fairbury. She is also survived by a sister-
in-law, Maxine Payne, and four grandchildren: James (Tanya) Veomett, Jeffery (Heather)
Veomett, Jacob Maley, and Stacy (Steven) Pecharich. Marilyn is also survived by 11
great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Surviving in Australia is Lyn (Peter)
Ellenby, whom Marilyn and Lloyd hosted as a high school foreign exchange student.

Preceding Marilyn in death are her parents, husband, one brother, Howard Payne, and
three sisters: Bernadine Payne, Lois Steidinger, and Shirley Payne.

Marilyn graduated from Cropsey High School and Illinois Commercial College. After
school, she worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for many years, including 22 years for
Fairbury-Cropsey/Prairie Central High School.

Marilyn spent most of her adult life doing things for others. When her children were
young, she volunteered as a 4-H Leader and Brownie/Girl Scout Leader and taught
Sunday School and Bible School. She was a member of several quilting groups, including
the First Baptist Church, where quilts were donated to needy groups.

Marilyn was a very active member of the Presbyterian Church. She served as an Elder
and a Deacon. She also helped with Meals on Wheels and organized salad luncheons and
funeral dinners. In 2009, Marilyn was awarded the Fairbury Citizen of the Year award by
the Fairbury Women's Club.

Marilyn's hobbies included gardening, walking with friends at North Park, playing games
with grandchildren, and traveling. As her vision failed, she enjoyed listening to
audiobooks.

Marilyn was always ready to help a friend or neighbor. She provided rides to people for
appointments, baked cookies, played bridge, or offered an encouraging word. She will be
missed by all who knew and loved her.

A special thank you goes to the loving staff of Fairview Haven and OSF Hospice Care.