Marilyn Elaine Workley, of Warsaw, passed away at 5:17 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at her residence at the age of 79.

Marilyn Elaine Workley

She was born on Oct. 25, 1940, in Mount Pleasant, Mich., to Iva Myrtle (Beverlin) Estep and Roy Hobart Estep. On Oct. 12, 1963, she was married to Walter A. Hamilton, who survives. Before they divorced they had two sons and a daughter. Marilyn met Earl “Poppy” Leroy Workley and they were married on May 26, 1992. 

Marilyn graduated in 1958 from Shepard High School in Shepard, Mich. She has lived in Kosciusko County, for the past 55 years, where she worked at United Telephone Company as a phone operator for many years. Later she worked for Brock Machine Shop in Warsaw as the office manager. She loved to share her gift of music with anyone that was willing to listen. She was self-taught on the organ, piano, harmonica and accordion. She could not read a single note of music, but one would never have known it when you heard her play. Family was everything to Marilyn, and Christmas being her favorite time of year to spoil everyone. No one left from a holiday dinner without their own box of homemade fudge. Marilyn was also known for all of her beautiful flower arrangements she was sure to have set out for all occasions. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she leaves behind many, many wonderful memories and will be dearly missed. 

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 28 years, Earl “Poppy” Leroy Workley (Warsaw); son: Mark (Lori) Hamilton (Columbia City); and daughter: Aimee (Jim) Farmer (Warsaw). Also surviving are four grandchildren: Kyle (Nichole) Hamilton, Ric (Renee) Hamilton, Melissa Hamilton, and Travis Hamilton; and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Daniel “Boonie” Hamilton who died on June 21, 2008, great-grandson, Bradley Harrell on Dec. 22, 2013, and five siblings:  Louise K. Banner, Roy A. Estep, James C. Estep, Eyvonne Boyer and Eveonne Farison.         

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana. 

Due to the current, unprecedented guidelines limiting public gatherings due to the COVID-19 virus and safety concerns, please use good judgment in determining the length of your visit or if you should attend. Masks should be worn if you feel more comfortable doing so but are not mandatory. There will be no congregating in the parking lot and physical distancing of six feet is mandatory.

Marilyn’s life will be celebrated with a service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Kurt Feneley. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Indiana, please follow social distancing guidelines at the cemetery as well.

Memorial donations may be directed to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, Indiana  46581-1196 and would be appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.