Maralie Dawn Whitney

Maralie Dawn Whitney

Maralie Dawn Whitney, 82, of Springfield passed away Friday August 30, 2013 in her home. She was born in Martinsville, Il on October 22, 1930 to the late Harry Leon and Fayette Fasig Downey.

She started piano lessons at the age of 6 and classical trained for 12 years. After marrying she formed the band, "Maralie and the Marathons". After moving to Ohio, she played for a dinner club and raised her 3 daughters. In the 1960's, She moved to Springfield and played at the Kentwood Arms and various sing along bars. In 1972, She was selling real estate and met Lou Whitney who she later married and they formed various bands playing current and oldies along with original works!

They started as "The Symptoms" and later became "The Morrels" which was formed in 1978 and were written up in "The Rolling Stones" magazine three times and performed at the CIBI Club in Manhattan.

Later in life She played with several ladies in a band; "The Vintage Lace" at various residential and assisted living and churches. She also was a long haul semi-truck driver for a company here in Springfield during the late 80's and early 90's.

All through her life she enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, reading and made a mean pot of Chili. She enjoyed her family and adored her grandchildren, great grandchildren and Charilee, Chihuahua.

She is survived by three daughters; Kevin Robertson (Michael), Becky Ballinger, and Carol Erwin (Andy). Grandchildren: Elizabeth, Selissa, Tara and Joe Hamp. Ryan and Monica Conway. Erin, Matthew, and Joseph. Great-Grandchildren: Summer, Ashly, Lucian, Syler, Rowan, Emily, Cadence, Madison, and Justin. She also has a brother, Gary Leon Downey (Ann). And a sister-in-law, Lois Downey. And numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2013 in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel.