Marilyn J. Collier

Marilyn passed away Monday, April 18, 2022, at Ascension St. Mary's Hospital at the age of 81 years. She was born in Bay City on April 24, 1940 to the late Clarence and Elsie (Stegman) Hanover. On November 11, 1960, she married Ronald Collier and they were married for 61 years. Marilyn was a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church. She worked and retired from the Bay City Times in the mailroom and as a stuffer after 50 years of service. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, doing puzzles, crocheting, painting, canning, gardening and taking care of her fish pond. Marilyn was well known for her wedding cakes and was known by many as the "cake lady" and "Momma C". She also loved cooking and having fish frys and making her legendary coleslaw and her dill pretzels. She loved her dogs, Boomer and Ebby and baked dog treats for them every week. Most of all she loved having family get togethers especially for holidays and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Ron; children, Brenda (Jim) Gillespie, Robert "Bob" Collier, Pam Collier and Ryan Collier; grandchildren, Josh, Becky (Jon), Jessie (Andrew), Sarah, Ryley, Tyler, Andrew, Jonathan and Savannah; great grandchildren, Summer and Theo; sister, Carol Schmoltz; sisters-in-law, Barb Hanover and Shirley Keenan; brother-in-law, Bill (Clarice) Collier and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her grandson, Joey; brothers, Dale, Gale and Melvin Hanover.
Funeral and committal services will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church on Friday, April 22, 2022. Officiating will be Pastor Gary Bender with private interment in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may visit at the Gephart Funeral Home on Thursday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Marilyn will be taken to the church to lie in state on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Contributions may be made to the wishes of the family. For online condolences visit www.gephartfuneralhome.com