Marilyn Eilleen Waitman

Marilyn Eilleen Waitman, formerly of Lynnville, Indiana, passed away on October 10^th at 3:08 PM at the River Pointe Health Campus in Evansville, IN.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents: Alva Thomas Miller and Christina Ross Miller, her brother Alva Truman Miller and his wife Helene Miller, and her husband Reuben Homer Waitman all of Lynnville, Indiana.

Marilyn is survived by her five sons: Reuben Waitman of Piermont, NY, Ross Waitman and his wife Lorraine Pellicano-Waitman of Stone Ridge, NY, Evan Waitman and his wife Rita Key-Waitman of Evansville, IN, Dana Waitman of Hammond, IN and Mark Waitman and his wife Heather Waitman of Pearl River, NY, her nephews: Keith Miller of Evansville, IN, Randall Waitman of Evansville, IN, Earl Waitman and his wife Pam Waitman of Evansville, IN and nieces: Corliss Waitman of Evansville, IN and Karen Rothgerber and her husband Ron Rothgerber of Folsomville, IN. Marilyn is also survived by 10 Grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many more great-nephews, great-nieces and cousins.

Marilyn had a beautiful soprano voice and received voice training while she was attending Evansville College. She was a guest soloist at many local churches and performed at many local social events. Her singing led her to meet her future husband, Reuben Waitman, at Central United Methodist Church where they sang together in the choir. Marilyn graduated from Evansville College with a degree in Education in 1946. After graduation, Marilyn became a teacher at the Lynnville, IN elementary school. Marilyn and Reuben were married on June 3, 1947 and lived in Evansville. In the mid-50s Reuben’s job took them to Pearl River, NY where they raised their family of five boys, with frequent visits back to Indiana to visit family and friends.

Marilyn became a substitute music teacher for the Pearl River public school system and continued her education, receiving a Master of Arts Degree in Music Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College in 1975. Marilyn continued singing with Reuben in the choirs at the Pearl River United Methodist Church and the Congers United Methodist Church. Marilyn became the Choir Director at the Congers United Methodist Church and was there for many years.

In 1995, Marilyn and Reuben returned to Indiana, moving to her parent’s farm in Lynnville. Sadly, three months later Reuben passed away. In 2006, Marilyn, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, moved to the memory unit at Atria in Newburgh, IN. After a few years, she moved to the River Pointe Health Campus and lived there until she passed. The family are thankful for the care that was given by staff at both Atria and River Pointe.

In lieu of flowers, as a memorial to Marilyn the family has asked that donations be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Barnett Chapel Church in Elberfeld, IN.  Rev. Terry Flowers will officiate with burial in Barnett Chapel Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., on Monday, at Titzer Family Funeral Homes ~ Volkman Chapel, 2nd. & Elm Streets, Elberfeld, IN (812) 983-4211. Additional visitation will be on Tuesday 9 a.m. to service time at the church.