Marilyn Yarnell

Marilyn Jean (Mears) Yarnell, 93, died Monday, December 23, 2024 after a short illness. 

Marilyn was born May 2, 1931 to Homer G. and Lela E. (Hollingsworth) Mears in Port Washington, Ohio. Marilyn graduated from Freeport (Ohio) High School in 1949 and attended Bliss Business College in Columbus, Ohio from 1949-1951. 

On May 20, 1951, Marilyn married the love of her life Francis E. (Frank) Yarnell with whom she spent 64 blissful years prior to his death June 15, 2015. Marilyn and Frank had two children, Marla (Louis) Gamino of Temple, Texas and Kevin (Regina) Yarnell of Marana, Arizona. 

Marilyn was a lifelong Christian and worshipped with several different congregations in the many communities that she and Frank called home. These churches included St. John United Church of Christ, Strasburg, Ohio; South Broadway United Methodist Church, New Philadelphia, Ohio; First United Methodist Church, Rowlett, Texas; First United Methodist Church, Harrison, Arkansas; Peakland United Methodist Church, Lynchburg, Virginia; and Trinity United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Florida.

Marilyn was employed by Gundy Construction, Inc., Ben Cookson, Inc., and Smith, Renner, Hanhart, Miller & Kyler law firm in New Philadelphia, Ohio. She served as Tax Administrator of the City of New Philadelphia, Ohio where she retired in 1997. 

Marilyn enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states and parts of Canada and Mexico. Her late life passions included reading, solving word search puzzles, and working with flowers.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister Shirley (Carl) Leggett, brother Richard (Frances) Mears, and grandson Anthony Francis Yarnell Gamino.

Marilyn is survived by her two children, four grandchildren: Ian Yarnell of Tucson, Arizona, Gabriel Gamino of Temple, Texas, Claire (Andrew) Gamino-Cheong of Alexandria, Virginia, and Dominic Gamino attending Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, and one brother Sam (Anna) Mears of New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Marilyn will be buried in Evergreen Burial Park, New Philadelphia, Ohio with Linn Hert Geib Funeral Home in charge of the funeral arrangements. Calling hours will be held on January 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Per the request of Marilyn, her son Kevin will be the officiant.