Marian Celeste (North) Schwilk-Thomas

Marian Celeste Schwilk-Thomas

Age 89 of Vandalia, Ohio died on June 7, 2023. She was born April 7, 1934, in Cincinnati and raised in Springfield, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack A. Schwilk. She is survived by her three sons and one daughter: David B. Thomas, G. Scott Thomas, Christopher L. Schwilk and Constance Swank; three daughters-in-love: Tina Thomas, Jill Murray, and Elaine Schwilk; six grandchildren: Joshua (JT) Thomas, Holly Thomas, Andrew Schwilk, Nathan Schwilk, Lisa Hower, and Bobbi Kennedy Norris; 12 great-grandchildren; five nieces: Becky Garza, Vicky Wainright, Christy North, Barbara Molino, and Monica Al-Amin; one nephew, Ralph R. Thomas; and special WOW friends: Susan Kelleher, Bess Imber, and Priscilla Mutter. The family would like to thank special friends and neighbors Linda and Bill Swinderman and their family for loving and caring for Marian while she lived in Vandalia. The family would also like to thank all of Marian’s doctors, nurses, and caregivers.

Marian taught private piano lessons for 25 years and was a choir director for many years at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Huber Heights, Ohio. She was also an active member of Clowns for Christ and performed under the name Shamrock. Marian loved showing dogs both in conformation and obedience and was a strong competitor across the U.S. until her retirement in 2000. After retiring, Marian rescued several dogs and cats.

In her later years, she became a recognized poet and a member of the Haiku Society of America. She published three books: “The Sound of Ink”, “The Boat of What I Know”, and “Called to be Amazed”. She enjoyed sharing her writings in several groups including Women of Words (WOW), Hyacinths and Biscuits, and Memoir. Her poetry reveals a woman who observed and validated every living thing and believed everything has a soul and is worthy of our consideration.

Marian spent her last six years living at Traditions of Beavercreek where she enjoyed spending time with friends, painting rocks, coloring, working word search puzzles, and playing dominoes and bingo. (She especially liked winning chocolate at bingo!) She was also recognized by the staff and residents as the lady with the crazy socks. She had quite the variety of socks and enjoyed rolling up her pant legs to show them off.

Marian’s celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, Vandalia with Pastor Randall McKinney officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 12:00 PM until time of service. Burial will follow in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens.

It was Marian’s request that instead of flowers you hug someone and perform a random act of kindness in her name. If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Marian’s memory to the Huber Heights Performing Arts (HHPA), the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, or an organization of your choosing.