Marilyn L Wehling

MARILYN L. WEHLING (nee Ferguson), age 88

Marilyn was born in Cleveland on February 13, 1937 to the late Jack and Victoria (Wittkoff) Ferguson. She was married nearly 49 years to the love of her life, Clarence Wehling, who predeceased her in 2006. Marilyn was a beloved mother to daughters Sue (Mike) Hurst, Cindy (Mike) Vendeland, and son Bill (Chris) Wehling; loving grandmother to Denise (Ben) Flowers, Curtis Vendeland, Thomas Vendeland, Tory (Randall) Short, Katherine Hurst, Michael Hurst, Jessica Wehling, Nellie Wehling, and Joseph Wehling; loving great-grandmother to Calvin Flowers, Louisa Flowers, Gordon Flowers, and Neil Short. She is also survived by sister, Jean (Sandy) Douglas, brother, Jack Ferguson, and sister-in-law, Anita Ferguson. Marilyn was also a beloved aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

In her early childhood, Marilyn enjoyed only-child privileges until she was five years old, but when that ended she enjoyed being big sister to her two siblings, making Marilyn the oldest of three. She often remembered her childhood with fondness, telling stories of riding her bicycle to her grandparents’ house, going to the store with her grandfather, and the Indians winning the World Series in 1948. By the early 1950s the family lived in East Cleveland and Marilyn began attending Shaw High School, but in 1952 they moved to South Euclid and Marilyn transferred to Brush High School and she graduated in 1955.

Marilyn met her husband, Clarence Wehling, on a blind date in 1954. Clarence graduated from Shaw in 1954 but to their knowledge they never crossed paths at Shaw. He was the love of her life, and she was his. They both attended Ohio State University. Marilyn planned on becoming an elementary school teacher, but these plans were set aside when they married on November 23, 1957.

Marilyn worked in office roles until the couple welcomed their first daughter, Sue; followed by Cindy; and later son Bill completed their family. It was during these years that Marilyn and Clarence purchased their home in South Euclid, where they lived for over 40 years until Clarence’s death, and Marilyn lived for another 10 years. Marilyn worked as a stay-at-home mom while the children were little, sometimes assisting her dad in office work for his small construction company. She enjoyed taking her kids to the library every week, the local pool in the summertime, and spending time with extended family that lived nearby. The family took annual trips to Cedar Point. Some years they went to Niagara Falls. Marilyn would pack coolers of food for the trip, and they would stop at a rest area along the way and enjoy the sandwiches she had prepared.

Marilyn hosted wonderful birthday parties for her kids while they were little, as well as countless family holiday dinners. Marilyn always worked to make her home welcoming to neighborhood children, always having a pitcher of Kool Aid ready to share. Many kids in the neighborhood knew her well and remember her fondly.

Marilyn volunteered as a Girl Scout leader when her daughters were young and accompanied them on camping trips throughout their elementary years. She also was a Cub Scout den mother for her son. She frequently volunteered at the elementary school her children attended. Marilyn joined local discussion groups that covered current events. She enjoyed talking politics throughout her life, but was always respectful of opposing views, and worked to find common ground with everyone. During several elections she worked as a poll worker. Following retirement, Marilyn volunteered weekly with Meals on Wheels. She also participated in volunteer work with the Hillcrest Women’s Club. She did volunteer tax prep forseniors via a community program in South Euclid. As evidenced by all the foregoing, Marilyn considered it her civic responsibility to participate actively in her community.

Marilyn’s faith was very important to her. She led her family to church, first attending a Baptist church and then a Church of the Covenant in later years. She was particularly active in the Covenant church, assisting with Vacation Bible School, and she led a weekly prayer group for many years. She also served as head of a commission for prayer and discipleship.

Marilyn worked part-time in the Sears catalog department when her children were young, eventually moving to full-time work in the Sears regional office located in Richmond Mall. In the mid-1980s she began working for the Ohio Roundtable, and she greatly enjoyed her work there. Marilyn retired from full-time work in the mid-2000s but worked part-time for HR& Block during tax seasons.

Marilyn returned to college in the late 1980s and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Notre Dame College of Ohio in 1990 at the age of 53.

For many years Marilyn and Clarence enjoyed taking annual trips to Niagara Falls every Presidents Day weekend with a group of friends. They took annual trips to Florida every fall; later supplemented with additional trips for Spring Training. Since one daughter lived in Indiana, they took many trips there; and to Michigan where their son lives.

As her children married, Marilyn welcomed their spouses to the family. She treated them as her own children. She was very excited as her children had families of their own, and she was the proud grandmother of five girls and four boys. She took interest in all her grandchildren’s activities, going to sports games, band concerts, and the like. Eventually she welcomed four great-grandchildren to the family. Being GiGi to three great grandsons and one great granddaughter thrilled her.

After Clarence’s death Marilyn enjoyed cruises with her sister and brother-in-law to Alaska and the Caribbean. She enjoyed visiting her sister in St. Louis for many years. She also made many trips to Minnesota where her daughter lived for several years. She accompanied her son and his family to South Carolina, Minnesota, Wisconsin Dells, Florida, and Ocean City among other places. Marilyn accompanied her daughter Cindy to Washington DC, Memphis, Orange Beach, and New Orleans. She met up with her other daughter and a granddaughter in Sanibel Island for Spring Break, going to a Minnesota Twins spring training game during that trip. She enjoyed traveling with her family, but the best part was spending the time together. These trips consisted of sightseeing and playing lots and lots of games.

In 2016 Marilyn made the decision to sell her home of over 50 years and moved to Judson Park. There she found friendship, support, and community. She greatly enjoyed all the amenities Judson had to offer.

In recent years Marilyn’s travels slowed down, but she still enjoyed nearly weekly Sunday dinners with her daughter Cindy and her family, and any other family members who happened to be visiting. Many weeks these evenings would conclude with games of Five Crowns, Phase 10, Uno, or Skip Bo. She shared her love of games with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, having recently begun playing Sorry with her great granddaughter. She also enjoyed playing Backgammon online.

Marilyn’s thoughtfulness, kindness, smile, and loving personality will be greatly missed by her entire family and many others.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Cleveland Clinic, Judson Park Skilled Nursing, and Hospice of Greater Cleveland for their exceptional care of Marilyn over the last few months.

Private Interment at Acacia Memorial Park. A Memorial Service will be Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Judson Senior Living, 1801 Chestnut Hills Drive, Cleveland Heights, OH 44106, at 1 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Childrens Cancer Research Foundation, Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund at https://childrenscancer.org/zach/ 

ARRANGEMENTS BY MAHER-MELBOURNE FUNERAL HOME OF NORTHEAST OHIO www.MaherMelbourne.com