Marjorie “Marge” (O’Donnell) Larkin, 92, of Earlville, peacefully passed away, surrounded by family, on Monday, July 29, 2024. She had been a resident at Allure of Mendota.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at St. Teresa Church in Earlville, with Rev. Jeff Windy, officiating. Visitation at the church will precede the Mass from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024. A private burial will follow the Mass. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Marge was born on February 3, 1932 in Ottawa to Carey and Lillian (nee Burke) O’Donnell. She graduated as Valedictorian from Marquette High School (Ottawa) in 1949 which was the last all-girl class. She spent a year at the College of St. Francis (Joliet) before marrying Leroy Meyer in 1952. They lived on a farm east of Earlville and raised three children. When Leroy became vision-impaired, Marge and her children worked the farm as a team. A few years later, Marge completed her degree at NIU (DeKalb) and secured a position as an elementary school teacher (4th grade) in Earlville. She taught for 20 years and was an honored recipient of the Golden Raider award. “Mrs. Larkin” thoroughly enjoyed her students – saying she “never met a student she didn’t like”. She often spoke of former students and how proud she was of their accomplishments as adults.
After the loss of Leroy (1969), Marge met and married Vincent “Ben” Larkin – also a farmer in the Earlville area. She and Ben were married for 39 years. They enjoyed gardening as well as traveling; a trip to the Emerald Isle was an especially memorable highlight. Throughout the years, Marge enjoyed quilting/sewing; baking, playing the piano; a game of Euchre or Bridge; ballroom and square dancing. She was very proud of the fact that she had lived on the same farm for 70+ years! Marge’s strong faith and convictions defined her life as an adult and she often volunteered in various capacities at St. Teresa’s parish in Earlville. However, she felt that her greatest accomplishment and blessing included having (and visiting) her 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her two children, Margaret “Peg” (Patrick) O’Brien, of Bull Valley, Daniel “Dan” (Debra) Meyer, of Galva; a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Meyer, of Plano; 11 grandchildren, Bridget, Cara, and Patrick O’Brien, Jr., LeAnn, Lindsey, Carey, and Cameron (Carsen) Meyer, Megan (Jeremy) Cantlin, Jennifer (Tony) Ayala, Tina (Sean) O’Connor, Joseph Meyer; eight darling great-grandchildren, Taylor, Christopher, Wyatt, Connor, Hailey, Teagan, Grace, Rory; three siblings, James “Jim” O’Donnell, of Roswell, GA, Patricia O’Donnell, of Toluca Lake, CA, Ronald “Ron” (Rita) O’Donnell, of Ottawa; several nieces and nephews; and special gratitude to her devoted caregiver, Mary Escatel.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carey and Lillian; her husbands, Leroy and Ben; a beloved son, Gerald “Jerry” Meyer; and a brother, William “Bill” O’Donnell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Earlville Foundation for Excellence in Education, 415 West Union Street, Earlville, IL 60518 or to Mendota Area Senior Services – MASS 1901 Tom Merwin Dr, Mendota, IL 61342 .
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433