Marilyn Joyce McCoun, 85 formerly of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away September 5, 2026 at a nursing home in Camdenton, MO. She was born in Saint Joseph Missouri on February 23, 1941.

Her parents were Paul and Grace. Marilyn had no siblings, but a few good childhood friends. Her best friend was Connie, her next-door neighbor. Even after Connie moved away, they continued to write and visit into adulthood. Marilyn’s father was a small appliance repair man who had his own business in the basement of their home. Her mother sold Avon door-to-door.

Some of Marilyn‘s favorite memories to share were about helping her daddy and traveling with him to Kansas City to look for parts. she also loved taking a walk down the street with him to get ice cream. Marilyn‘s parents attended Patee Park Baptist Church, which she continued to do her entire life. As a child, she learned to play the piano and organ and played many times for church services. As an older adult, her favorite place was in the nursery with the babies.

Marilyn attended Southwest Baptist college when it was a junior college.. After two years in Bolivar, she transferred to Maryville College, where she received her degree in education for music and English. Her first job was in a small, rural elementary school as music teacher. after a few years, she was offered a position as a senior English teacher at Central high school in Saint Joseph where she stayed for 30 years. Marilyn never married, but was very involved in the young people‘s lives that she interacted with through the high school and church. In later years, she kept in contact with many people through Facebook and writing letters.

Marilyn‘s favorite thing of all was traveling and seeing beautiful things. She loved beautiful scenery and flowers and colors. She took many pictures of her trips to Colorado. She also traveled to Alaska and Switzerland.

Saint Joseph, where Marilyn lived her entire life outside of her college experiences, was her hometown which she loved. But, when she became older and needed assistance, she agreed to move to the lake of the Ozarks, where my husband and I could help her. Lake Parke has been a wonderful blessing for us and for Marilyn. She made many friends and had a good quality life with friends and staff. She loved playing the piano, doing puzzles, reading books, walking out side and visiting with her friends at meal time. We are so thankful for the care and concern and attention that everyone gave her. We are happy to know that now she is with her Lord Jesus, safe and at peace. Praise the Lord for his mercy and grace and his sacrifice that he made for all of us. He is the way the truth and the life! now let us be thankful for that eternal life that is available to all who put their trust in Jesus. Marilyn is now at home and rest. Let’s be happy for her.

Graveside Services will be Monday, September 21, 2026 at 11:00 am, held at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Joseph. Arrangements under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.