Marilyn Brubaker

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Marilyn Joanne Brubaker, aged 82, of Orrville. She died peacefully on Friday, June 28th at Wayne County Care Center after a brief struggle with congestive heart failure. Marilyn was born March 6, 1931, in Ashland, Ohio the daughter of Reverend George H. Sheets and Ruth Marie Bone. Marilyn's first marriage to Jay Houtz blessed her with four children. In 1967, Marilyn married Carl Brubaker of Smithville, bringing all their children together to make a “yours, mine and ours” family. Those nine children weren't left idle, that's for sure. Marilyn and Carl owned and ran Brubaker's Restaurant in Smithville for eight years and nearly every employee was a family member. And those who weren't, were treated as family. After Carl's death in 1980, Marilyn went to work for J.M. Smucker's Co. where she worked until retirement. She made many long-time friends there and the family was certain to get Smucker's treats on holidays. After retirement it was spending time with her children, working in the garden or enjoying her dogs that brought her great pleasure. Always a hard worker, Marilyn taught her children the value of work along with the joy of living. Indeed, there were a couple of times in the past couple of years when one of her shocked children found her climbing ladders to clean gutters on the second floor. Even at 80 years of age she could sit cross-legged on the ground and rise without any help. Seeing her energy, drive and determination it was easy to believe she would outlive everyone. She will be greatly missed by all her children and her extended family. Marilyn is survived by her brothers, Philip and (wife Cheryl) Sheets, Dunnellon FL; Ron Sheets,Lexington NC; her son Jay (wife Deanna) Houtz of Wooster; her daughters, Susan (husband Tom) Snader of Orrville; Joanne (husband David) Albright of Smithville; Jayne (husband Marty) of Keller, TX and Georgeanne Daugherty of Orrville. Her step-daughters (Brubaker's) Debbie (husband Orrville) Hoffman, of Wilmington, DE; Kathy (husband Harold) Miller, of Belle Glade, FL; Lori (husband Mark) Doefer, of Lakeville, OH and Cindy (husband Scott) Albright of Wooster, along with over 20 grand-children and several great-grand children. Preceding her in death are her parents, husband and infant son (Carl Bradley Brubaker). The family would like to thank Wayne County Care Center for the love and care they have shown to our mother and family over the last several months. We would also like to thank the Crossroads Hospice for their compassion and care during this very difficult time. Marilyn will be laid to rest next to Carl at the Smithville Cemetery. Custer-Glenn Funeral Home is handling cremation. If you would like to leave a message for the family you can do so at http://www.custerglenn.com choose visitation section. In regards to Marilyn's wishes there well be no formal service; the family will have a private memorial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in her name to Wayne County Humane Society, Inc., 1161 Mechanicsburg Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.

Marilyn Brubaker

March 6, 1931 - June 28, 2013