Marilyn Drayton

Marilyn Drayton, age 95, of Walnut, died Monday, March 16, 2026 at Allure of Walnut.

          Darlene Marilyn Brandau was born on March 19, 1930 in Sterling, IL, the daughter of Fred and Gladys (Stidd) Brandau.  She married Lowell Thomas Drayton on July 1, 1951 at the First Lutheran Church of Ohio.  She was a loving wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Ohio.

          She is survived by her children: her daughter, Janet (Lee) Mathis of Simpsonville, SC; her two sons, Lowell Thomas “Tom” (Nancy) Drayton, Jr. of Le Claire, IA and Robert (Jennifer) Drayton of Eau Claire, WI; one sister, Dolores Jackson of Bushnell, IL; and one brother, Stanley (Virginia) Brandau of Mendota, IL; one brother-in-law, Marlow (Wanda) Drayton of Walnut, IL; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Brandau of Ohio, IL and Jeanette Brandau of Geneseo, IL; six grandchildren, Andrew (Tessa) Drayton of Le Claire, IA, David (Julie) Mathis of Vancouver, WA, Tyler (Kay) Drayton of Davenport, IA, Laura (John) Schulte of Asheville, NC, Nicholas (Elizabeth) Drayton of Altoona, WI, and Benjamin (Sierra) Drayton of Chaska, MN; twelve great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

          Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lowell; three brothers, Richard, Ronald, and Robert Brandau; one sister, Dorthea Ganschow; two sisters-in-law; and six brothers-in-law.

          A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church of Ohio.  A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM with Jeff and Lori Whalen co-officiating.  Following the luncheon at the church, inurnment will take place at Greenville-Fairfield Cemetery in New Bedford at 1:45 PM.

          In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

          Online condolences may be sent to www.garlandfuneralhomes.com.

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