Marilyn Mae Gailhouse

Marilyn Mae Gailhouse, age 94 of Mendon, Michigan, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026 at Thurston Woods nursing home in Sturgis. She was born on May 2, 1931 in Three Rivers, Michigan, the daughter of Olin and Bertha (Brown) Bivvins. Marilyn graduated from Schoolcraft High School with the class of 1949. On May 14, 1966, she married Hank Gailhouse at the Mendon United Methodist Church.

Deeply committed to her community, Marilyn devoted many years to Mendon Community Schools, where she worked as a custodian and generously supported athletic events by managing concession stands, assisting boosters, and taking tickets for countless Hornet games. A longtime member of the Mendon Kiwanis Club, she took particular pride in becoming its first female president, serving in that role four times. She found joy in helping the children of Mendon through the Showboat, Dust-Off, Riverfest, and the backpack program. She was also a faithful member of her church family, contributing to the 4x4 Thursday night free meals, coffee hour, church luncheons, the Miriam Circle, and the Parish Committee. In her quieter moments, she enjoyed camping, traveling, visits to Boston, and attending the St. Joseph County fair.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Larry (Virginia) Baker, Beverly (James) Currier, Brenda Gailhouse, and Curt (Tammy) VanderPloeg; nine grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Olin and Bertha Bivvins; her brother, Olin Bivvins, Jr.; her husband, Hank Gailhouse; her son, Tim (Carol) Baker; and her granddaughter, Samantha Baker.