Marilyn McLendon LeFager

Marilyn McLendon LeFager, 77, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. She was the beloved wife of James LeFager for 52 years and the loving mother of James (Amy) and John (Elizabeth). Her grandchildren—Oliver, Isabel, Kennedi, Myles, and Brooks—were the joy of her life and filled her days with pride and happiness.

Raised in Champaign-Urbana, Marilyn developed a lifelong love of dance and theater. She graduated from Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois, with a degree in History and later earned a Master’s in Public Health from Benedictine University. She dedicated more than 40 years to a career in healthcare and medical insurance before retiring in 2013. Marilyn loved to travel, especially cherishing her journeys to the British Isles, France, and Germany. Family heritage held deep meaning for her, and she took great pride in her ancestors who fought in the American Revolution. In honor of that legacy, she became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and served as a past Regent of the Fox River Valley Chapter.

Above all, Marilyn will be remembered for her warm smile, generous spirit, and the profound love she shared with—and received from—her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Martha (Holmes) McLendon, and her brothers, David and John.