Marilyn J. Bechtel's Obituary
Marilyn J. (Cotton) Bechtel, passed away on June 15, 2022 following a very brief hospital stay due to effects of an undiagnosed Congestive Heart Failure condition. She was born July 21, 1931 in Lorain, Ohio. She graduated from Amherst Central High School. She was a resident of Amherst for nearly 91 years.
Marilyn was married to Kenneth R. Bechtel for 24 years and raised 4 children. She was a housewife and later worked as a Teacher’s Aide at Powers Elementary for over 20 years. She was an active member of the Amherst community. She was a member of the Amherst Women’s League, the Amherst Garden Club, the Old Stone Church & choir, Amherst Community Chorus, assistant Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, and Eastern Star, and supporter of the Amherst Marching Band. She volunteered at the Amherst Historical Society, the American Red Cross, and was an avid seamstress. Her greatest passion was working outside in her gardens, which she warmly shared with neighbors, friends, and family.
Marilyn loved her family and leaves behind 4 children and their spouses, Kay (Paul Garfinkel), Linda (Gar Vance), Richard (Nancie Mlakar), and Jeffrey (Tina Wolf). She also leaves six very cherished grandchildren: Jessica (Garfinkel) Winthrop & Tracy (Garfinkel) McGregor, Nick, Angela, and Katie Bechtel, and Nathan Bechtel; and two great-grandchildren: Isaac and Kalib.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Dorothy (Lapp) Cotton; and her sister, Darlene (Cotton) Strevey.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Amherst Historical Society at amhersthistoricalsociety.org.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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