Marilyn Johnson

Marilyn H. Johnson, age 68, of Ava, Illinois, formerly of West, passed away Saturday morning, July 27, 2019 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Illinois. Graveside Service will be held 9:00 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2019 at Closner Cemetery near West, with Rev. Terry McElrath officiating. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West. Marilyn was born August 5, 1950 in Galveston County, Texas the daughter of Earl and Mary (Gaston) Wooley. She graduated from Santa Fe High School. Marilyn was a certified massage therapist until her retirement. She enjoyed riding horses, painting, and drawing. The outdoors and nature brought much happiness and sunshine to her life. She loved spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents; a son Preston "Mickey" Johnson; a brother, George Wooley; and a sister, Julia Dean Bitterman. Survivors include her husband, Charles Hester of Ava, IL; her children, Clarence "Beau" Johnson and wife Jetti, Christel Welty, Anita Reynolds and fianc TJ Alligood, and Jacob Holloway; her siblings, Gaddis Wooley, Earline Bobbitt, Emily Peytron and Catherine Espin; several half brothers and sisters; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to help with expenses.