Marilyn Mae Hart, age 90, was born August 3, 1932, to Noah V. and Doris M. (Bilyew) Hart in Annapolis, Illinois. She attended grade school at the Willow Prairie School, Lincoln Grade School, and then went to Robinson High School before entering the workforce as a candy striper at Allen Sanitarium, and later packed candy bars at L.S. Heath and Sons on South Jackson Street. She married John F. Hoke on January 10, 1953, and the couple made their home in Columbus, Georgia where John was stationed with the United States Air Force. Marilyn was a full-time homemaker and mother throughout the next years. The family made several moves around the country, following John to various Air Force bases before returning home to Robinson in 1970. She was a loving mother, always supportive of the various activities her children were involved in from cheerleading to horses, to motorcycles. She was active in the PTA and enjoyed making ceramics in her free time.
Marilyn went back to work for Heath, which was later to become Hershey Candy Company where she worked for 26 years until her retirement in 2003.
Marilyn was a devoted Christian and a member of the Robinson Free Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and was Baptized on July 29, 1990. Marilyn was a dedicated Grandma, constantly making something for her granddaughters, from delicate sugar eggs for Easter, to poodle skirts just for fun. She was a talented seamstress, and made countless alterations and projects for her family, even hand beading a prom dress.
Marilyn had a wonderful sense of humor. She could always find something to laugh about, in all situations. She loved Christmas time and provided her family with the most special holiday celebrations, leaving lasting memories and traditions.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Kathryn A. Hoke, brother Eugene Hart and sister Roberta Stephens.
Survivors include a daughter Danielle Watson, Robinson, IL; a son and daughter-in-law John R. “Pete” & Rhonda Hoke, Robinson, IL; five grandchildren and spouses, Emily & Jared Gullett of Robinson; Meleah & Lee Jordan of Robinson; Rachel & Jake Smolinski of Lynden, WA; Daniel Newby of Louisville, IL and Audra & Noah Clodfelter of Olney, IL. Seven great grandchildren and spouses, Hannah & Kaden Mitchell; Sadie Jordan; Bodie Jordan; Wylie Jordan; Blake Gullett; Micah Clodfelter; Zara Gullett; Maeve Gullett; Owen Clodfelter; and Baby Boy Smolinski, on the way. One Great, Great Grandson, Rex Mitchell completes her extended family.
Funeral services for Marilyn M. Hoke will be conducted at 2:00 pm Wednesday June 28, 2023, at Pulliam Funeral Home in Robinson, IL with Pastor Jack Andrews officiating. Visitation will be held two hours preceding the funeral service from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment will follow funeral services in the New Robinson Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Robinson Free Methodist Church or to New Hebron Christian School with envelopes available at the funeral home.