Marilyn J. Gessel

Marilyn Joan Gessel, 89, of Wooster, passed away Wednesday December 31 at the Wayne County Care Center. She was born in Whigville, Ohio in Noble County on February 24, 1936 to the late Joseph Grant and Clarice Aleda (Danford) Guiler. Marilyn was a 1954 graduate of Summerfield High School and married Carl Robert (Bob) Gessel on October 30, 1954 at the Whigville Methodist Church.
Marilyn first worked for the Bloomer Candy Co. in Zanesville, Ohio and in 1964 started driving school bus for the Cardington-Lincoln Local school district. After the family returned to Wayne County, Marilyn began in 1967 what would turn into 50 years of being a "Bear Hauler" for the Waynedale School district. Marilyn enjoyed her regular bus route along with delivering the Band of Gold to football games, softball and baseball teams to games, the track team to meets, the golf team to matches and various other field trips. After her morning route, she could often be found enjoying a newspaper and cinnamon roll at Troyers.
Always a competitor, Marilyn played 1st base for the Foodland lady softball team in Cardington as well as the Apple Creek United Methodist Church women's softball team. Marilyn enjoyed badminton, tennis, golf, bowling, bingo, Euchre, the Cleveland Indians, Waynedale sports teams, race horses, and competing for ribbons at the fair. For fun, Marilyn and Bob would board ATI students in their home as well as pick blackberries to sell at the local fruit stands. Over the years Marilyn and Bob raised sheep, goats, rabbits, ponies, minis and a full-size horse. Marilyn wanted a camel and an alpaca but didn't quite make that goal.
When time permitted, she was on the road to her beloved Whigville to work on a farm and rental properties that she had purchased. Marilyn and her brother and sisters enjoyed many days in the town they loved. She and Bob liked to travel to Renfro Valley Kentucky for the Bluegrass performances, Dale Hollow Reservoir for houseboating, Branson Missouri, Punta Canta, Israel, Ireland, Mexico and Hawaii. Marilyn was often seen with a car load of grandkids headed to the bowling alley or ice-skating rink, or maybe to her home for a snow day sleepover.
Marilyn was a member of the Apple Creek United Methodist Church where she worked in the nursery and helped lead youth groups as well as helping with ice cream socials and the rummage sale. In her days at Summerfield High School, she was often pulled out of class to play taps at the cemetery for the funeral of a veteran.
Marilyn is survived by her son Jim (Linda) Gessel of Apple Creek, daughter Debbie (Randy) Odenkirk of Lucas, son Steve (Lisa) Gessel of Apple Creek, her sister Gloria (Dale) Weber of Pataskala, brother Karl (Sally) Guiler of Etna, sister Carolyn Christman of Pataskala, sister-in-law
Dolores Guiler of Nicholasville Kentucky, sister-in-law Wanda Guiler of Decatur Alabama and brother-in-law G.H. "Jack" (Phyllis) Gessel of Creston.
She is also survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren Dustin, Sarah, Micah, Ryne, and Asher; Jenna, John, Lila, Lucas, and Levi; Jacoby, Paul, Shiloh, Judah, Selah, and Savannah; Payton and Amy; Brittanie, Adam, Bryleigh, Skylynn, and Myles; Josh, Chyrsten, and Alisa; Brindi, James, and Aubrey; Kelsey, David, Austin, and Andrew; Kylie, T.J., Raiden, Gage, and Sophie; Lexi, Mariah, and Laikyn; Cory and Chelsea; and many caring nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, brother Eugene Guiler, brother William Guiler, and brother-in-law Don Christman.
The family would like to extend our heart felt thanks to Marilyn's friends at Impressions Hair Salon and the Robinson Road Bob Evans Restaurant; the Wayne County Care Center's past/ present medical and daily care givers, their food service staff, laundry and custodial staff, as well as the friendship of her fellow residents. We would also like to thank all of Marilyn's life long friends that made her time on earth so much better.
Private family graveside services will be held at the Apple Creek Cemetery. Spidell Funeral home in Mount Eaton is handling arrangements. A memorial website has been created by the funeral home and may be accessed at www.spidellfuneral.com. where you may share a memory or sign the guestbook.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Waynedale golf, band, softball, baseball, or cheerleading programs (mark specifically the program) at 9052 Dover Road, Apple Creek, Ohio 44606 or to Hope Community Church, 133 Bonnieview Avenue, Minerva, Ohio 44657.