Marilyn Jean Oldefest

Marilyn J. Oldefest, 86, of Milan, IL, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2012, at Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island, IL. Visitation will be Friday, November 30th, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at First Lutheran Church, 1230 - 5th Avenue, Moline, IL. Services will be Saturday, December 1st, at the church, at 10:00 a.m., with burial at the Moline Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Wendt Funeral Home, Moline. Marilyn Jean Barclay Miller Incerto Oldefest was born on October 2nd 1926 in Rock Island, IL, the daughter of Bernays Lucian Barclay (Papa) and Elizabeth Lavenus Lees (Toodie). As a young child, Marilyn grew up in Coal Valley and the family later moved to Moline where she attended Garfield Elementary, John Deere Junior High, and Moline High School. Music was always a part of Marilyn's life beginning at an early age. She was a member of the Moline Youth Chorus (14-16) and performed with Lawrence Welk in an act entitled, "The Two Young Ladies of Song" during1942. She sang on the radio in 1943 with the late Florentina (Palos) Rasso, on the WHBF Radio Mutual Network, and later was a founding member of the Quad City Music Guild where she had a lead role in the first Music Guild production, "Sweethearts." Marilyn was an active member of the following clubs and organizations: Rock Island Fine Arts Club; Ottumwa Community Players; East Moline Woman's Club; Upper R.I. County Woman's Club; and the Quad City Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society. Marilyn met Robert E. Miller in 1944 while he was on leave from the Navy. Bob returned music that he had found loaned to the local reserve and it ended up belonging to Marilyn. They were married August 12, 1945, in a whirlwind WWII romance. Bob passed away in 1967. Marilyn later married Anthony Francis Incerto on October 22, 1977. They lived in East Moline where Tony was retired from the Arsenal as a major in the army. Tony passed away in 1990. Marilyn married Willis H. Oldefest on October 16, 1993. They lived in Milan near the airport. Willis passed away in 2011. There were several employment opportunities for Marilyn, which included: waitressing at the Walgreens on 15th St & 5th Ave; working for Deere & Company in the mail room and as an elevator operator; choral director at Riverdale High School; a personnel office clerk typist at the Rock Island Arsenal; and choir director at First Baptist, Trinity Lutheran, and Calvary Lutheran churches. Faith in God was a major part of Marilyn's life as exemplified by her longtime membership and service at First Lutheran Church in Moline, IL, where she often sang in the choir and performed many solos. She directed many children's choir events and loved to put together "performances" with the youth of the church. The fine arts were always alive for Marilyn including art, teaching children, organizing shows and numerous programs for children and adults alike. Music was her preferential art form, however. She was a classical person who enjoyed all the fine arts and encouraged a love of them in all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Marilyn always staged "performances" at holidays, parties, and planned events - encouraging the arts from her offspring. Marilyn said the most important role of her life was that of being a mother to her children and extended family. She loved and encouraged each individually as well as a total family group. She was especially known by family and friends alike for her ability to make you feel special each and every time you interacted with her. Her love, care, concern, and laugh will be deeply missed by all. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, James Barclay; her husbands; and a son-in-law, Chuck Toppert. She is survived by six children, Judy Toppert, Hillsdale; Jennifer (Joe) Pacha, Coal Valley; Jeffery Miller, Milan; Jayne (Decker) Ploehn, Bettendorf; Julius (Melissa) Miller, Cordova; Jon (Tammy) Miller, Washington, IL. Five stepchildren Mike Incerto, Buffalo Grove; David Incerto, Hutchison, Kansas; Jon Lundahl, Reno, Nevada; David (Rita) Griffin, Milan; and Ron (Claudia) Griffin, Milan. Marilyn is also survived by 20 grandchildren Rob, Jim, Deb, Seth, Zach, Decker, Sarah, Tyson, Jacob, Samantha, Jordan, Tera, Taylor, Tony, Cassie, Ben, Jennifer, Brett, Kara, Sherry, Marc, Chris and 19 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following: Robert Miller Scholarship Fund, Riverdale High School; First Lutheran Church, Moline, IL; and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer for the Cure.

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