Marilyn M. Oplinger

This is the life story of Marilyn Rosemarie Mill Oplinger, born July 18, 1937 in the Reading Hospital and passed away November 29, 2025. She was the daughter of Arthur Franklin Mill - an intelligent electronic engineer and a talented musician - and her mother, Beatrice Mary Mauger Mill - a hard working "Mom" who raised seven children and always reached out to help family and neighbors. Marilyn went to Reading High School with her husband, Arthur Frederick Oplinger, graduating in 1955 and marrying in 1959. Arthur was a dedicated family doctor and devoted husband, father and grandfather of 57 years.

Marilyn gave her whole life and love to her family. She is survived by her four children and extended families - daughter Lisa Ann Oplinger, daughter Wendy Lynn (Oplinger) Manowczak (Mark), daughter Dr. Michele Suzanne Oplinger, and son Scott Bradley Oplinger (Kristine Koehler). 6 grandchildren: Chelsea Manowczak (Raymond Stochel), Angela (Manowczak) McGinnis (Derek), Oliver and Isabella Oplinger, Hannah and Emma Oplinger. 4 great-grandchildren: Vivienne McGinnis, Margot McGinnis, Clark Stochel, and Meyer Stochel. Marilyn is also survived by her 3 sisters and brother: Mary Weber, Beatrice Frantz, Catherine Chelius, and William Mill, and is predeceased by sisters Gloria Graul and Caroline Bohn. She loved her countless nieces and nephews (too many to name), bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren (John, Grace, Phoebe, and Matilda Koehler), and friends near and far.

After supporting her husband through medical school and raising her four children, Marilyn finally pursued her dream in January 1978, returning to college with a new goal. She graduated in 1981 with a Bachelors of Arts degree from Alvernia College. Exeter School District hired her in September 1981 at Jacksonwald Elementary School. During her 12 years of teaching she completed a Masters of Education of Elementary Counseling from Kutztown University in 1990. Marilyn retired from full time teaching in 1993 but continued substituting and working in her husband's office until 1999. She cherished the many years spent babysitting her grandchildren, living a blessed full life.

Religion was very important to Marilyn throughout her life. Marilyn was baptized in 1937 in St. Marks Evangelical and Reformed Church. She was confirmed and married at St. Stephen's United Church of Christ; a long time member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ and Trinity United Church of Christ, Mt. Penn, and worshiped most recently at Schwarzwald Lutheran Church.

Visitation with family and friends will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with services beginning at 11:00 am at Lutz Funeral Home, Inc., 2100 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA 19606. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Heartland Hospice and Helping Harvest. Lutz Funeral Home, Inc., has been entrusted with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com