Marilyn I. Elling

Marilyn Ione Elling, 93, formerly of Napoleon, passed away on March 12, 2024. Surviving Marilyn are her children Patricia (Tom) Condron and Daniel (Jan) Elling; grandsons Jacob Elling, Brendan (Heather) Condron, Ryan (Dana) Condron, and Nathan Elling; great grandchildren Callie Condron, Hannah Condron, Emma Condron, and Conor Condron; and godchild, Andrea Tam. She was preceded in death by husband, Marvin Elling, parents Gale and Geneva Salsbury, and siblings Herbert (Sylvia) Salsbury, Larry (Mary) Salsbury and David Salsbury. Marilyn was born on May 9, 1930, to Gale and Geneva (Wasnich) Salsbury in Bryan, Ohio. She spent her childhood on her parents’ farm in Pulaski. She attended Pulaski grade school and was a 1948 graduate of Bryan High School. Marilyn attended Pulaski Methodist Church and worked at Johnson’s General Store earning her 3-year tuition to Flower Hospital Methodist School of Nursing in Toledo. She graduated on September 13, 1951, from Nursing School and was awarded the Florence Nightingale Pin. She proudly wore the pin when she married Marvin Elling on September 16, 1951, at EUB Church in Bryan. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before Marvin passed away in 2011. Marilyn worked nights at Heller Memorial Hospital. Later, she was the office nurse for Dr. Robert Gilson and Dr. Thomas Moriarty. She also worked for the Henry County Visiting Nurses. In 1951, she became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon. She was an active member of the church where she was a kindergarten Sunday school teacher, a member of the Ladies’ Guild, Mission Society, and Altar Guild. She attended Bible class and joined the church choir in 1992. Marilyn was also an active volunteer and board member of the Henry County Cancer Society for 21 years. She was instrumental in getting a Breast Self-Exam and Mammogram program started in 1985 with Marilyn Rausch and the hospital teaching BSE. Along with Carolyn Adler and Linda Smith, Marilyn restarted the “I Can Cope Program” at Henry County Hospital. She received special recognition by the Friends of the United Way in 1989 and was named Henry County Cancer Society’s Volunteer of the Year in 1991. Marilyn was also a volunteer nurse for Red Cross Bloodmobile, Meals on Wheels, Henry County Pap Clinics, and worked at Heller Memorial and Henry County Hospital gift shops. In her later years, she was also active with the Bryan High School and the Flower Hospital reunions. Marilyn’s hobbies consisted of ceramics, traveling, collecting stones for her rock garden, making and giving away her chocolate candies and lilac lotion, and photography (practicing on her grandchildren). In her free time, Marilyn liked to go on walks and visit with family and friends. She remained active by participating in Tai Chi classes and line dancing. In the evenings she would hand sew countless small teddy bears which were donated via St Paul to children in Haiti and Thailand. Visitation for Marilyn will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon, on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 10:00 AM until the time of services at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society in Henry County, St. Paul Lutheran (Altar Guild) or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com. Arrangements entrusted to Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Homes, Napoleon.

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Marilyn I. Elling

May 9, 1930 - March 12, 2024