May 23, 1936 - Sept. 12, 1999

Marilyn J. (Ringenberg) Troyer, 63, died on Sunday, Sept. 12, after a lengthy illness.

She was a much beloved wife, mother and grandmother. She was born on May 23, 1936, in Buda, Ill. Her parents were William and Alta (Smucker) Ringenberg. She had four siblings, Wilma Pott of Playa del Rey, Calif., Marvin Ringenberg of Sheffield, Ill., Lawrence Ringenberg of Eureka, Ill., and Gerald Ringenberg, who preceded her in death.

She married Dr. Marlin Troyer on June 18, 1960. She is survived by three daughters, Stephanie Criswell and her husband, David of Marengo, Ill., Debra Troyer, and Susan Davis and her husband, Matthew of Indianapolis, Ind. She has one grandson, Jonathan Criswell, age 3.

She graduated as valedictorian form Manilus High School in 1954. In 1958 she earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from Goshen College. She worked in a family practice physician's office in Goshen where she met her future husband. They moved to South Bend, Ind., in 1965. She was a homemaker and was very involved with her children. She enjoyed gardening and music, often accompanying music students for recitals. She was a member of the Medical Auxiliary of St. Joseph County where she was involved in the health careers program in local schools, among other activities. She also initiated a child abuse program in South Bend, one of the first of it kind. She was a member of the Kern Road Mennonite Church.

A private family funeral is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Grace United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Guisinger Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, handled arrangements.