Marilyn Lou Brumbaugh

Marilyn Lou Brumbaugh went to be with the Lord on December 3, 2019, at age 89. The only child of Raymond M. Henry and Cherie Ryerson Henry, Marilyn was born June 26, 1930, and spent her entire life in the area. She grew up in Sebring, graduating in 1948 from Sebring High School, where she was piano accompanist to the Vocalaires and subsequently helped to organize many class reunions. She received a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Grove City College in Pennsylvania in 1952 and was a member of Alpha Beta Tau sorority. Upon graduation, she worked as a secretary at the Babcock & Wilcox Research Center in Alliance, then as assistant to the sales vice president of the Stanford Pottery in Sebring. Marilyn resided in North Benton after marrying William C. Brumbaugh in 1953, together building a home adjacent to Sebring Country Club, on Henry family land that had been the first plot deeded in Portage County. After retiring for a decade to give a great start to two daughters, Elizabeth and Ann, Marilyn enrolled in Kent State University to earn a teaching certificate. She was a business office education teacher at Alliance High School from 1967-90, where she served as department head and was known for her creative bulletin boards and red briefcase. She took pleasure over the years encountering her many former students around the community. Marilyn had a number of passionate avocational pursuits, including golf at Sebring Country Club, where she was a member throughout her life and officer for many years and scored two holes in one on No. 6. She was a long-time member and past president of the Alliance Flower Arrangers, receiving ribbons for her avant-garde designs in flower shows during Greater Alliance Carnation Festivals. She also was a member of the Damascus Garden Club and the Jane Bain Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Marilyn was a past president of Friends of Rodman Public Library; in some periods of her life, she read a novel a day, and she enjoyed her nonfiction book club. She also served as treasurer of North Benton Presbyterian Church for several decades.Marilyn loved to cook and entertain, especially at Thanksgiving, took many cooking classes, enjoyed gardening, and was an ambitious and meticulous crafter. She was an expert knitter and seamstress, creating much beautiful clothing for herself and her daughters and their dolls. In her retirement, she traveled the world, enjoying cruises and Elderhostel trips domestically and in Europe, Asia, and Central America.Marilyn was predeceased by her husband in 1994, and she is survived by daughters Elizabeth E. Brumbaugh (Gregory P. Hackett) of Hudson; Ann L. Hartong (Dennis D.) of Green; grandchildren Paul W. Hartong (Kayleigh) of Columbus; David D. Hartong (Emily) of North Benton; Matthew R. Hartong (Erin) of Canal Fulton; and Sarah E. Fragiskatos (Alexandros) of Columbia, Missouri; and seven great-grandchildren.A funeral service will be held at First United Presbyterian Church, 265 W. Beech St., Alliance, at 11:00 a.m. on December 12. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. Private interment at Hartzell Cemetery, North Benton. The family suggests memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to Friends of Rodman Public Library or the building fund of First United Presbyterian Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gednetz-Ruzek-Brown Funeral Home, Sebring, (330) 938-2526.