Marilyn Jean (Gilger) Beals

Marilyn Jean Gilger Beals, Age 85 of Kyle, TX died on Tuesday, August 28. Wife for 61 years of Duane Beals, daughter of the late John Wesley Gilger and Lela Margaret Orr, sister of the late J. Richard “Bud” Gilger. She was blessed by God with two amazing daughters, Pamela Jean (John) Matia of Pittsburgh, PA and Patricia Ann (late Michael) Moore of Arvada, CO, and the joy of being grandmother of John (Desiree), Andrew (Amanda Baker) and Anna Matia and Wesley Moore.  Also survived by sister-in-law Elizabeth (Becky) Gilger, five nieces and one nephew.

Marilyn was born & raised in Emlenton, PA and was taught by her uncle in a one-room school from first through sixth grade. She graduated from Emlenton High School and Grove City College, and worked as a secretary for several years before she married. After raising her family, she returned to work in administration at Moon Area School District, from where she retired in 1977.

Former member of the Marion Welcome Wagon and Marion Garden Club and a bridge club in Marion, OH; and the Kyle Garden Club and Kyle UMC in Kyle, TX where she served on both the finance committee and Angel Tree committee among other ministries.  Always friendly and outgoing, Marilyn enjoyed meeting and talking with people and always made a friend.  She utilized her giving and loving nature by participating in many organizations and activities dedicated to helping others and creating beauty.  She enjoyed helping with and contributing her talented cooking to church pot luck dinners.  Each New Year’s Day she loved creating and hosting a traditional Yankee pork and sauerkraut dinner in her home for nearly two dozen friends and neighbors.  Marilyn was honored in 2012 when she retired as chair of the Claiborne Kyle Log House commission, a position she held for 20 years, making a total of 25 years of service dedicated to the operation and maintenance of the homestead of the founding family of the city of Kyle, TX.  She especially enjoyed giving First Sunday tours in period costume, and sharing the history of the homestead and the city with the third graders from Kyle area elementary schools as well as many visitors to the home.  Under Marilyn’s leadership, the commission built the annual chicken dinner fundraiser into a community affair enjoyed by many friends and neighbors as well as Kyle family descendants, held yearly on the fourth Saturday of September.

Marilyn had great artistic talent in many areas, including oil painting and flower arranging, and she loved to entertain and play bridge.

The family would like to thank Carla Breyfogle-Gomez, Estela Sanchez, and the staff of Orchard Park and CTMC Hospice for their love and care for Marilyn during her illness.

A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held on Saturday, September 15 at 11AM at Driftwood United Methodist Church, 15090 FM 150 W, Driftwood, Rev. Carl Clark presiding. The family will receive visitors after the service in the church social hall. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 6, at the Hile Funeral Home Inc. 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton, PA with the Rev. Dan Myers, a retired Methodist pastor, officiating. Interment will be in the Emlenton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Marilyn’s honor to Claiborne Kyle Log House Commission, Driftwood United Methodist Church, or the Alzheimer’s Association.   

For more information, or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.

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