Marilyn Joan Verda

1932 - 2025

Marilyn Joan Verda
Born: August 28, 1932 in Mark, IL
Died: November 25, 2025 in Henry, IL
Marilyn Joan Verda, a life-long resident of Mark, IL died November 25, 2025, at age 93
at Henry Nursing Home, where she has lived since 2020.
Marilyn was born to Nicola and Rose Ann (Carani) Verda on August 28, 1932. She was
the fourth oldest of 12 siblings. At age 16, Marilyn left high school to go to work in order
to help her younger siblings. She was employed at Westclox Clock Company in Peru
from that time until the factory closed in 1980. Marilyn then cleaned homes for many
families in the area. She and her mother made their famous and delicious "ravs" for
people and restaurants throughout the Illinois Valley. Her nieces and nephews were
taught from a young age how to "twist ravs" when visiting. And if you were lucky, you
stopped at the house on bread baking day and enjoyed a warm slice as a snack. A pot
of coffee brewing was a familiar scent.
In her spare time, Marilyn enjoyed trips to the river boats to play the slots, and watching
gameshows, especially Wheel of Fortune. Aunt Mar loved her nieces and nephews. She
was always available to chat around the kitchen table and had toys and coloring books
ready in the closet. In the mid-1980s, her niece Angie challenged her to quit smoking as
part of the Great American Smokeout campaign. Marilyn never smoked again.
Marilyn is survived by brothers Raymond (Linda Platt) Verda and Lucian Verda, sisters
Beverly Biagini and Elaine (Doug) Ossola, all of Granville IL, sister Shirley McCann,
residing in California, 25 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and
nephews…and some great-greats, too. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in
death by her sister, Adeline Moriarty; brothers Dominic, Jimmy, LeRoy, Ronnie and
Richard Verda; nieces Debra Verda and Pam Muilenburg, and nephew Chad Nunley.
Memorials may be directed to the Putnam County Food Pantry.
A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 10am, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Granville, Fr. Michael Driscoll, celebrant. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. There will be no visitation.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Helmer Shields Funeral Home., Granville.