Marilyn F. Cronkleton

Marilyn F. Cronkleton, 79, of Coal Valley, Illinois, died Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, with Father Anthony Ego officiating. Entombment is in the mausoleum at St Mary’s Cemetery, East Moline. A prayer service will be 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Funeral Home, immediately followed by visitation until 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church.

The former Marilyn Frances VanDeVoorde was born January 1, 1945, in Geneseo, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur and Eugenia (Marchand) VanDeVoorde. She graduated from Riverdale High School in 1962 and went on to marry the love of her life, Jeremiah “Jerry” Cronkleton, on June 18, 1966. He died March 8, 2015. 

She worked as a telephone operator for Illinois Bell and was an integral part of the company’s transitions over the years as the company and technology changed. She was a faithful, longtime member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and enjoyed birdwatching. Above all else, family was the most important thing to Marilyn, and she especially looked forward to gathering with her family and former co-workers. 

Marilyn is survived by her two beloved children, Colleen Cronkleton of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Matthew (Kelly) Cronkleton of Anchor, Illinois; siblings, Annette (Larry) Tillberg, Jane (Steve) Kincaid, John (Cheryl) VanDeVoorde, Joy VanDeVoorde, and Joe VanDeVoorde; many nieces and nephews; and her wonderful neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry; and siblings, Jim VanDeVoorde and Bernadette Weidner.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.