Marilyn Carol Chellis entered the presence of her ascended Lord Jesus Christ on April 21, 2023. Marilyn was born in Callicoon, New York, on May 3, 1942. She was the daughter of Howard Schmidt and Esther Fink. Growing up in Hortonville and North Branch, she graduated from Delaware Valley Central School. After further education in Binghamton, she worked as a secretary and receptionist for Drs. Mills and Rumble in Callicoon. 

In 1963 Marilyn fell in love with the bar waiter at the famous Little Texas Ranch in Obernburg. In 1964 she married Edwin “Butch” Chellis. Thankfully they were the same guy. Marilyn and Butch were married at the First Presbyterian Church. Not the first choice for the Roman Catholic Schmidt family, but all was forgiven after the Second Vatican Council. Marilyn became a Protestant but never gave up talking to Saint Francis when a horse got sick or thinking about Mary when she felt discouraged. When she became a Reformed Presbyterian, she found her Catholic roots renewed by a deeper appreciation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Marilyn and Butch were married fifty-nine years. They built their life in Jeffersonville and raised two sons, Drew and Bill. Marilyn was a full-time housewife, mother, and horse trainer.  Together they raised and trained Standardbred harness horses, Marilyn taking care of cleaning stalls and jogging horses while her husband was teaching school.  As a wife and mother, she worked hard, baked cookies, cooked, cleaned, and ensured LL Bean stayed in business. Marilyn delighted in hospitality; her home was always open to friends, travelers, and strangers. She was a holiday specialist and knew how to keep Christmas well and make a Thanksgiving dinner memorable. 

She was proud of her family, and the family grew. Sons brought home wives, Wendy (Drew) and Katrina (Bill), and daughters-in-law produced grandchildren. Garrett (Drew), Elizabeth, William, and Mary were the pride of her life. The loss of her grandson Garrett was her most grievous heartbreak. 

Her legacy shall live through the memory of those who love her; descedents shall rise up to call her blessed. She is gone from the body for a time but present with Jesus. There are no dead in Christ. 

A funeral service will be held at noon on Thursday, April 27 at the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at the Presbyterian Cemetery in Jeffersonville.  

Memorial donations may be made to the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church, St. Jude’s Hospital, or Tunnel to Towers Foundation. To send condolences or for directions please visit stewartmurphyfh.com