Obituary of Marilyn Faith Calkins

Marilyn Faith Calkins age 91, a very special lady of Troy, PA., passed away peacefully at Twin Oaks Personal Care Home on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. Marilyn was the daughter of the late Harrison and Julia Morse of Troy, PA. Marilyn graduated from Troy High School in 1943 and was married in 1944 to Tom Calkins, Jr., her high school sweetheart. She began her working career at Ben Franklin in Troy for 10 years. Later, she became the bookkeeper for Tom's businesses – Calkins Motor Sales, Town & Country Estates, and Calkins Mobile Home Park. As one would say, "Behind every successful man is a good woman." That woman was Marilyn. Marilyn was a member of East Troy Baptist Church, Troy Community Hospital Auxiliary, The Arbutus Rebekah Lodge of East Troy, Troy Grange #182, and the Troy Booster Club. Marilyn began the Booster Club restaurant at the Troy Fair and was head of it for 10 years, raising money for sports clubs at Troy High School. Another project dear to Marilyn's heart was the Fresh Air Fund. For 15 years, she brought kids from NYC to PA to spend a vacation week or weeks with families "in the country." Besides all of Marilyn's outside interests, she was a very devoted mother and grandmother. She was busy trying to attend everyone's activities. Marilyn gave unselfishly of her time and energies to her family, her friends, and anywhere help was needed. When asked about hobbies, she replied without hesitation, "Helping others!" – A worthy hobby indeed. But Marilyn did know how to have fun. She loved spending summers at their lake home on Lake Ondawa with her family and friends. Also high on her list was her and Tom's many trips to Penn State football games with their friends. They loved travelling. Marilyn is survived by her sister Joyce Grose, and brother Bruce (Carolyn) Morse – both of Elmira, NY. Marilyn will be greatly missed by her son Thomas (Janet) Calkins III, daughter Cheryl Hutter, and daughter-in-law Susan Calkins. Grandchildren include: Thomas (Bonnie) Calkins IV, Angela Ross, Yvonne Lynn, Danielle (Terry) Polk, Holly (Nathan) Newell, Patricia (Andy) Matheson, Rick (Kimmie) Calkins, James (Sarah) Hutter, Heidi (Dave) Ferguson, Marilynne (Brian) Burchard, and Raelynne (Nathan) Palmer. Marilyn was a wonderful and loving great and great-great grandmother to thirty great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Also surviving are several special nieces and nephews along with a very dear friend, Ming Way Louie. Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, husband Thomas Calkins, Jr., brothers; John "Bud" (Luella) Morse, Edward (Barbara) Morse, son Richard "Dick" Calkins, son-in-law Joseph Hutter, Jr., and granddaughter Natalie Lumetta. Family and friends are invited to attend a period of visitation from 11:00-12:00 on Wednesday, Sept 13, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of East Troy at the corner of Rte. 6 and Mud Creek Road, East Troy, PA. A funeral service will follow at noon with Rev. Garry Zuber officiating. Interment will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Troy Baptist Church, P.O. Box 21, Troy, PA. 16947, or Twin Oaks Personal Care Home Activity Fund, 1100 Cowley Road, Granville Summit, PA. 16926. The family wishes to thank Twin Oaks Personal Care for their outstanding, loving care. Funeral services are under the direction of Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., 637 S. Main St., Mansfield, PA. 16933 www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com