Marilyn Kay Tucker (nee Niehls)

Age 82 of Wilmington, died peacefully on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Born November 12, 1939 in Cowden, Illinois, Marilyn Kay was a daughter of Walter and Clarissa (nee Nichols) Niehls. She was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School. She went on to attend Beauty School, and later in life was proud to have completed EMT training in the State of Florida.

In earlier years, Kay belonged to the Eastern Star, Bethel and Jobs Daughters. Her employment entailed working at the A&P and Hickory Creek Grocery Stories in Wilmington, and while living in Florida, she was not only the Bar Manager at Matlacha Oyster House, which was an award winning seafood restaurant in Matlacha, but she was the fastest oyster shucker on staff. Following her return to Wilmington in addition to becoming a Mary Kay Consultant, Kay bartended at The Rustic until her formal retirement.

Remembered as a beautiful, true lady, Kay was always fashion conscience, and that was well displayed in her impeccable dress. She was a proud American who loved all things America including NASCAR Racing (especially Robbie Gordon), watching football, QVC, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. In recent years, there was no place Kay enjoyed more than being at home. In her pass time she took pleasure in bird watching, working crossword puzzles and being with her canine companions.

In the hearts of many, there was no one quite like Kay. She loved people and carried with her countless memories of local history. Kay’s memory and her legacy will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include three children: Donald Gene (Janelle) Tucker, Jr. of La Feria, Texas, and Kay Ann (Mike) Attaway and Susan Faye (Frankie) Kiper, both of Wilmington, as well as numerous step children; three grandchildren: Kristina Pearl Attaway, Donald Franklin Kiper, and Tucker Dee Kiper; one great grandson, Christopher Michael; one sister, Carol Faye (Charles) Schumacher of New Lenox; one brother, Walter Bert (Charlene) Niehls of Wilmington; two sisters-in-law: Dianne Niehls of Joliet and Debbie Niehls of Morris, and several nieces and nephews, including: Jon (Krista) Niehls, Chad (Jessie) Schumacher, Danielle (Tyler) Kent, and Leesa (Scott) Hayes, as well as her dear caregiver Rowena.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Schroeder, her former husband and the father of her children, Donald G. Tucker, Sr., and twin brothers: Jerry and Larry Niehls.

Green flameless cremation rites have been accorded, and family will be receiving friends for a memorial visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 E. Kahler Road in Wilmington on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service 3:00 p.m. Rev. Brad Shumaker will officiate.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Marilyn’s memorial page through social media by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Flameless cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.