Marian Kidwell, age 95, of rural Donnellson, passed away Saturday, July 19, at Hilltop Nursing Home in Charleston, Illinois. Funeral services for 95 year-old Marian Kidwell will be held Friday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. at Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville. Burial will be in Tower Hill Cemetery in Tower Hill. Friends may call Thursday, July 24 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary.
Marian was born in Middlesworth, Il on December 30, 1918, the daughter of Herrick and Mae (Brown) Huffer. She married Vance Kidwell on December 17, 1941 in Oak Park, IL and they shared 70 years of marriage until his death on October 11, 2012. She is survived by a son, David (Debbie) Kidwell of Charleston, IL and two grandchildren, Lauren of Cambridge, MA and Brian of Arlington, VA.
After graduating from Shelbyville (IL) High School in 1936, she earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Eastern Illinois University in 1940. While Vance served in the European theatre during World War II, she taught in the Shelbyville public school system. They lived in Downers Grove, IL from 1945 until 1953 when they moved to rural Greenville. From 1953 until 1974, Marian taught sixth grade and music at Sorento, IL School. After retirement she continued as a substitute teacher for five more years.
She was active in the Reno Bethel Presbyterian Church serving as the church pianist during seven decades. Marian was a member of the Bond County Retired Teachers Association and was honored for her volunteer service with the Greenville Regional Hospitality Auxiliary. In her later years Marian enjoyed participating in the aerobics exercise class at the Greenville College pool and for the past year playing bingo and entertaining the residents on the piano at The Glenwood assisted living facility. She mostly cherished spending time with her family and was particularly proud of her grandchildren as she looked forward to preparing their favorite food dishes for holiday dinners.
