Marilyn E. Lenox

1925 - 2022

Marilyn E. Lenox
Born: September 21, 1925 in Dixon, IL
Died: December 11, 2022 in Peoria, AZ
Marilyn E. Lenox age 97 of Peoria, AZ formerly of Dixon died on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022 at Morning Star at Golden Ridge in Peoria, AZ. She was born on Sept. 21, 1925 in Dixon, IL the daughter of John and Mary (Busser) Thomas. Marilyn worked for the Green River Ordnance Plant during WWII. She was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Dixon, the VFW Auxiliary, Honky Tonk Band in Arcadia, FL., and enjoyed wintering in Florida. Marilyn married William Kohl on May 6, 1944 in California. William was killed on Jan. 1, 1945 serving in the Army at the "Battle of the Bulge". Marilyn married George Lenox on March 16, 1946 in Dixon, IL. He preceded her in death on Nov. 25, 1993. She met her close friend, special companion, William Leonatti in 2002 and they spent 18 years together. Bill preceded her in death Aug. 20, 2020. She is also preceded in death by her brother John Joe Thomas.
Marilyn had a long & wonderful life. She was able to do things she liked with the family she loved so much. She loved to travel and spend time at the beach. Marilyn loved Disney World and was able to take most of her family to see Mickey & Minnie at one time or another. She enjoyed riding roller coasters with her grandkids and even the "Tower of Terror" at Hollywood Studios. She loved to swim and always tried to be where she could take a dip in the pool. She loved her Big Band Music and Tap Dancing and playing the Maracas in the Honky Tonk Band.
Marilyn was always adventurous. She learned to water ski from her son & son-in-law when she was 50 years old. She went snow skiing for the first time when she was 60 with Karen's family. She went Whitewater Rafting in West Virginia with Karen's family when she was 79. She spent the past 2 years in Arizona near her daughter, Terri and granddaughter, Chris, due to health reasons and not enjoying Illinois winters.
She is survived by her children, Gary (Kathy) Lenox of Rock Falls, Terri (Ralph Foster) Smiley of Sun City, AZ, Karen (Gary) Michel of Dixon, grandchildren Chris (Jim) Rausch, Diane (Toby) Pleasant, Jim (Amanda) Michel, Bryan (Michelle) Lenox, David (Kelly) Drawyer, Jason (Meghan) Michel, Cindy(Chad) Brackemeyer, Steve Lenox, 20 great grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 10:00 with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 Friday December 23, 2022 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Dixon. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Arrangements by the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon. Online condolences can be left at www.thejonesfh.com