Marilee A. Murphy, 89, of Marion, passed away in Halifax Hospice Center, Port Orange, Florida on January 25, 2024. She was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on May 20, 1934 to the late William A. and Margaret (Mackinzie) Reinert.

Marilee was a dedicated educator who had a passion for learning. She graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, earning her Bachelor's degree in 1956. She then pursued her graduate work at the University of Colorado. In her 40s, she continued her education at Ball State University and successfully obtained a Master's Degree in Education.

Marilee started her teaching career in Racine, Wisconsin, where she taught kindergarten for 5 years. It was during this time that she met and married Patrick Murphy on July 5, 1961. The couple decided to move to Grant County in 1964 with their two young children and one on the way. Marilee's dedication to her community did not go unnoticed, as she was honored as Grant County's Homemaker of the Year in 1969 and became a top ten finalist at the Indiana State Fair.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 1970 when her husband suffered a fatal accident at home, leaving Marilee to raise their three young children on her own. Despite the challenges she faced, Marilee returned to teaching. She initially worked part-time as a kindergarten teacher and then transitioned to become a full-time first grade teacher. Later on, she took on the role of a traveling teacher for gifted and talented students in Grant County. Marilee dedicated 26 years of her life to teaching before retiring from Marion Community Schools in 1996.

Outside of her teaching career, Marilee was actively involved in various organizations throughout her life. She served as the President of the Catholic Junior League in Janesville, WI before moving to Marion, where she dedicated 60 years to serving her community in various roles and leadership. She was actively involved in organizations such as the YWCA, Marion Jaycee Wives, Marion Newcomer's Club, Marion City PTA Council, Debonair's Dance Club, VA Northern Indiana Health Care Systems, Friends for the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra, and many others. She was also a proud member of the Gamma Rho Chapter of Tri Kappa Sorority and PEO. In her later years, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to seniors in the Marion area.

Marilee was a faithful member of St. Paul Catholic Church, where she actively served in the Altar and Rosary society. She was also passionately involved in St. Paul's Tour of Homes.

Marilee never missed an opportunity to support and participate in her children's and grandchildren's events and sports activities. She was an avid fan of basketball, cheering on her beloved Marion Giants and the Indiana Hoosiers.

In her retirement years, Marilee found joy in traveling the world with her close friends and groups. Exploring different cultures and experiencing new adventures brought her great happiness.

Marilee is survived by her children, Stephen P. Murphy, Leesburg, Indiana; Shannon Steingraeber, St. Charles, Missouri; Scott W. Murphy, Aurora, Illinois; sister-in-law, Phyllis Reinert, Two Rivers, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Shelby Steingraeber, Michael Steingraeber, Brock Steingraeber, Braydon Murphy, Ariel Murphy; nephew, Gary Reinert and niece, Ann Duebner. She is preceded in death by her husband, Patrick F. Murphy; brother, William T. Reinert and in-laws, Ned and Sylvia Murphy.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at Noon on Wednesday, February 7, 2023 in St. Paul Catholic Church, 1031 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana with Rev. Theodore Rothrock officiating.

Owen-Weilert-Duncan Funeral Home, Marion Chapel, 2722 South Washington Street, Marion, Indiana was entrusted with the arrangements.