Marilyn Meyers

Happy, nurturing, loving, and kind Marilyn Meyers lived a life rich in family and friends. Always willing to share her time and talents, Marilyn devoted her life to the good care of others. Whether tending to her family or nursing family, friends, and patients, Marilyn ensured those she loved were enveloped in loving support. Marilyn led with her heart in all things, and in doing so, she proved a powerful role model for how to live a wholehearted life. Cherished by many, Marilyn will long be remembered and so very missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, the power of hope undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there more hope for the future than in the home of Howard and Esther (VanDelic) Stanton as they welcomed their daughter Marilyn to their family on August 14, 1933.

Born and raised in Dowling, Michigan, Marilyn had three siblings: Elaine, Arlene, and Bill. She attended Barney Mills School, a one-room schoolhouse in Barry County through 8th grade. Marilyn was one of just three graduates in her 8th grade class. She enjoyed 4-H through her teen years and had a pony named Stubby and a horse named Flick which she carefully looked after. Marilyn played violin and knew she wanted to become a nurse, having had a relative she admired who was a nurse.

After graduating from Hastings High School in 1951, Marilyn attended Michigan State to study nursing. While home from college, Marilyn met Jerry Meyers at Cedar Lake Dance Hall after her friend Martha Lapekas told her about him. The pair began dating and were soon setting their hearts on building a future together. On April 23, 1955, Marilyn and Jerry were joined in marriage, in a small church wedding at Dowling Methodist Church, officially beginning their 58-year adventure together.

That same year, Marilyn graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in nursing. A member of the second class to graduate from the nursing program at Michigan State, the small group of nurses had the opportunity to choose between two pins for the graduation caps – either the former Michigan State College pin or the new Michigan State University emblem. The 1955 graduates proudly chose the Michigan State College pin.

Marilyn began her nursing career at Borgess Hospital in the nursery and teaching at Nazareth School of Nursing. In time, she began working for a pediatric practice that would eventually become Trestlewood Pediatrics in Kalamazoo. Well-loved by the community she served, patients would stop Marilyn when they saw her anywhere outside the office. It was almost impossible to go anywhere and not see patients who were excited to see her.

Marilyn and Jerry were blessed to raise three children: Ann, Tom, and Marcia. Together, they created a loving and supportive home rooted in strong family values. The family enjoyed vacations with friends, going to area lakes for fishing and fun, many picnics, and spending time with Jerry’s siblings who lived next door. Marilyn especially loved Christmas and enjoyed making prime rib for her loved ones.

A gifted seamstress, Marilyn enjoyed sewing as a young woman and mother. She made many clothes and, at one time, also took a tailoring class and made a beautiful teal coat. When her kids were young, she volunteered as a room-mother at their schools and would make curtains for each of their teacher’s classrooms. After she started working more, she could no longer volunteer her time in the classroom, but she continued to make curtains for the teachers. Marilyn also enjoyed quilting and went on a quilting bus trip with a special friend, Lois, to Paducah, Kentucky, to visit the National Quilting Museum.

Later in life, Marilyn and Jerry would vacation with Marcia’s family up north at Blue Lake. Marilyn enjoyed cooking and baking. When Jerry broke his leg, and they went to doctor appointments for five years, Marilyn almost always arrived with a plate of homemade cookies for the office staff. A lifelong MSU fan, Marilyn also enjoyed music. Glenn Miller and “April Love” by Pat Boone were favorites, and “Ragtime” by Scott Joplin made her smile. The Sting was her favorite movie.

Without a doubt, Marilyn’s children and grandchildren were her heart’s delight. True reflections of her heart, her family filled her with love, support, and pride, especially after Jerry died in 2013. Marilyn found particular joy in being a grandma and great-grandma. They called her Gigi, and she readily saw her beautiful legacy and hope for the world in each of their eyes. She was very kind and caring and enjoyed shopping trips with Marcia and Ann. When Katie turned 16, they enjoyed a memorable trip to the Mall of America.

Though the world feels less certain in the absence of Marilyn’s steadfast love and care, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying her legacy forward. In each moment we greet the day with love and hope, freely give of ourselves in service of others, welcome a stranger as a friend, gather for the holidays with loved ones, and bake a special gift for someone, we celebrate all the ways Marilyn blessed our lives. In this way, we keep her beautiful spirit alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Marilyn Meyers, of Kalamazoo, age 89, died on August 4, 2023. Marilyn was born August 14, 1933, in Hastings to Howard and Esther (VanDelic) Stanton, who preceded her in death along with her husband, Gerald; and siblings: Arlene Stanton and Elaine Holt. Surviving are her children: Ann (Tom) McInerney, Tom (Linda) Meyers, and Marcia Vyverman; grandchildren: Jason Meyers, Tom (Lindsay) McInerney, Katie (Quamane) Stewart, Josh (Lisa) Vyverman, Jake (Nicole) Vyverman, and John Meyers; great-grandchildren: Avery, Paige, Grace, Thomas, James, Milo, Teagan, Harlow, Zayden, Howard, and Oliver; and brother: William Stanton.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Wednesday, August 9, from 5-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900. A Life Story Service will be held Thursday, August 10, at 11 AM with burial at East Cooper Cemetery. Visit Marilyn’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories and photos and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospital Hospitality House or Alzheimer’s Association.