Marilyn Jean Durnbaugh

XENIA — Marilyn Jean (Bull) Durnbaugh, 85, of Xenia, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away Sunday morning, July 20, 2025, in the arms of her husband John. Marilyn had been ill for several years, but John continued to love and care for her at home, as she would have wanted. Her children living next door and across the field surrounded her with love as well, letting her know her family was always close by her side. Marilyn was born on June 28, 1940, in Xenia, the daughter of Delmer D. and Dorothy J. Gantz Bull. She was a 1958 graduate of Xenia High School, and on January 21, 1961, she married John A. Durnbaugh. They had been married for 64 years and was a member of Xenia United Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband, John Durnbaugh, a daughter, Karen Doster (Gary), a son, Kent Durnbaugh (Melody), grandchildren, Jonathan Rose (Calyssa), Sarah Johnson (Andrew), Lauren Durnbaugh, Kyle Durnbaugh, Kolton Durnbaugh, and Bradley Schluter, great-grandchildren, Brooks, Andie, and Carter Johnson, Camden and Carson Rose, and Paxton and Raelen Hommel, and by many close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and by a brother. Marilyn loved her parent's farm, planting and harvesting the crops. John took over the farming in 1980 after her father Delmer became ill. Marilyn loved to haul the grain to the mill for John and always respected her parent's wishes of saving Sunday for a day of rest. John and Marilyn built their first home in 1964 on Hilltop Road. There they raised their two children. In 1986, they decided to build a new house on her parent's farm, to be closer to her mother and so John could continue farming. She loved everything about the farm and took pride in its appearance. Farm girl at heart, from taking her first lamb to market to keeping up her father's legacy, keeping the crops going. She loved to sew and made many clothes for herself, her mother, and children. They loved to go to sleep hearing the sound of her sewing machine. Marilyn, John, and the kids loved to camp. They had many different travel trailers through the years. Their children always enjoyed their weekend trips to Cowan Lake, along with vacations to the Smokey Mountains. Later John and Marilyn made many trips to Florida, Michigan, Missouri, and Amish Country. Marilyn will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Private services will be held by the family in Woodland Cemetery, Xenia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Xenia United Presbyterian Church, 343 W. Ankeney Mill Rd., Xenia, OH, 45385, in her memory. Condolences may be made to the family at http://www.NeeldFuneralHome.com.