Obituary of Marilyn Hornback

Marilyn Eloise Miller Guyer Hornback, 88, of Tucson, AZ passed away July 5, 2023 following a brief illness, with her family by her side.

She was born to the late Lt. Colonel, Ivan R. Miller and Mary Louvine Rehlmeyer Miller, September 1, 1934, in Metropolis, IL.  Marilyn graduated from Robinson High School in 1951. She married the late Dale E. Guyer June 28, 1953 (deceased 2000) and they lived most of their life in Illinois, primarily in Crawford County.

Surviving include her husband: Milburn Hornback, children: Larry D. Guyer (Lynn) of Syracuse, IN; Susan J. Guyer (died at birth 1956), Harold R. Guyer (Becky) Robinson, IL; and Cynthia Fox Reiff (Randy) of Bloomington, IL.  Seven grandchildren: Amber Howard (Sam - Adrianah and Meghan); Andrew Guyer; Stephanie Guyer (Jamae), Christopher Guyer, and Alex Guyer (Kaitlyn - Elyse and Maverick); Jeremy Fox (Ellen - Allison and Kayla), and Daniel Fox (Kristen - Mason and a baby girl due in September).  She also has three stepdaughters, two stepsons and multiple step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. 

Marilyn assisted Dale in their family businesses.  They owned a hardware store in Franklin Grove, IL for several years until moving back home to Crawford County, in 1962.  She was a homemaker and assisted Dale in the “Guyer brother’s” family business at Bunker Hill Supply company.  In 1965 she and Dale started Guyer Electric Company, which they ran for 32 years.  In 1967 they purchased a 98-year-old house in West York which they completely remodeled, taking great pride in turning it into a showplace, by giving it modern functionality yet preserving the historic charm.  She loved animals and was especially fond of cats and hummingbirds.  She enjoyed visiting zoos and seeing animals in their natural habitat. She enjoyed being outdoors and for many years she was an avid gardener. 

Marilyn was a very kind, big-hearted woman who was always looking for ways to help others.  While in Illinois she was very active in Pleasant Grove Friends Church where she led ladies Bible Studies, taught School and VBS, was President of WCTU, President of Robinson Clothing Center, and Secretary for Westen Yearly Meeting Social Concerns Committee.  She and Dale were continually volunteering for many organizations and serving in missions projects including: Quaker Haven Church Camp, Choctaw, Wyandot, Kickapoo and other Indian Groups, Belize school, Kenya Africa church and numerous other projects.  

Marilyn married Milburn Hornback August 25, 2001.  Traveling brought her great joy and together they enjoyed extensive travel throughout the United States as well as much of the world.  She was a snowbird for 15 years between West York, IL and Tucson, AZ. In 2019 she sold the family homestead and she and Milburn moved to Tucson permanently.  Marilyn enjoyed many activities including: spending time with family and friends, attending Bible study groups, Red Hat Society, avid reading, playing cards, computer games, swimming, and she even rode a bike through the age of 84.  She was famous for her delicious chocolate chip cookies and her favorite dessert was ice cream!

To know Marilyn was to love Marilyn.  She will be greatly missed, and her loved ones will cherish many delightful memories including her infectious smile and her laugh-until-she cried personality.

Services are pending.