Marilyn Ames

Marilyn Ames, 91, of Gibson City, formerly of Sibley, died peacefully on Friday, April 26, 2019 at OSF Hospital in Urbana.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Rosenbaum Funeral Home, Gibson City, and one hour before the funeral at the church on Wednesday. Her funeral will be on Wednesday, May 1 at 12:30 pm at Gibson City United Methodist Church, with Rev. John Hauck officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Sibley.
Mrs. Ames was born April 14, 1928 in Streator, IL to Everett and Hazel Harber Gahm. She graduated from Streator High School, Illinois Wesleyan University in 1950, and earned a Master's Degree from Illinois State University in 1974. Mrs. Ames married her college sweetheart, John S. Ames, on Oct 29, 1950 in Streator.
She is survived by her beloved children: Jeffrey (Madonna) Ames of Jackson, WY, Thomas (Celeste) Ames of Decatur, and Carol (Christopher) George of Gurnee; daughter-in-law, Sharon Ames of Gibson City; and brother, A. James Gahm of Streator.
She adored her grandchildren: Michael (Kortnei) Ames, Jennifer (Mike) Carley, Bradley Ames, Daniel (Anna) Ames, Brian Ames, Katie (Neil) Hufford, Christie (Steve) Catlin, and Emily (Tim) McLaughlin.
Her cherished great grandchildren are Ryan, Eric, Bryce and Avery Carley, Alex and Cooper Ames, and Andrew Ames. She is also survived by foster son Rick Huffington of Parker, AZ, and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Ames was preceded in death by her devoted husband John S. Ames (2014), son John Ames (2009), and daughter-in-law Donna Ames (2009).
Mrs. Ames taught history at Melvin-Sibley Junior-Senior High School for 30 years. She was committee chair for the Sibley Centennial Book and the History of Ford County. She was twice named "Outstanding History Teacher of Illinois" by the State Historical Society. In 1994, Mrs. Ames was named "Illinois Mother of the Year." As a Life Member of the Gov. Thomas Ford Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), she helped many women join DAR by proving their ancestry.
Her commitment and dedication to her family, friends, students, and education will live on in the many lives she touched.
Memorials may be made to the Sibley 4th of July Fund (PO 123, Sibley, IL 61773), the DAR Chapter (358 W Pells Street, Paxton, IL 60957), or Gibson City Methodist Church (206 E 10th Street, Gibson City, IL 60936).

Visitation

APR 30. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Rosenbaum Funeral Home
925 North, IL-47 Rosenbaum Funeral Home
Gibson City, IL 60936

Visitation

MAY 1. 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (CDT)

Gibson City United Methodist Church
206 E 10th St
Gibson City, IL 60936

Funeral Service

MAY 1. 12:30 PM (CDT)

Gibson City United Methodist Church
206 E 10th St
Gibson City, IL 60936

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