Marilyn M. Beronja

Marilyn M. Beronja, 92, of Battle Creek died unexpectedly on Thursday evening, October 3, 2019. She was born in Battle Creek on May 30, 1927, the daughter of Kenneth and Vera (Gibson) Minier and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1945. Marilyn worked in various secretarial positions over the years and retired from the Cook Vandervoort Christ & Fisher Law office in 1987.

Marilyn was united in marriage to Samuel Beronja in Battle Creek on January 15, 1948; he preceded her in death on May 10, 2011. Surviving are two sons, Fred (Debbie) Beronja of Battle Creek and Thomas (Agnes) Beronja of Little River, South Carolina; four grandchildren, Gabriel (Cindy) Beronja, Jennifer (Tommy) Hill, Nathan Beronja and Michael Beronja; seven great-grandchildren, Ashley Beronja, Jake Beronja, Wells Hill, Tyler Beronja, Zachary Beronja, Bannon Hill and Amanda Beronja; three brothers, Carl, David and Kenneth (Bonnie) Minier; a sister, Bonnie (Ivan) Giese; and numerous nieces and nephews. Marilyn was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kaylynn Beronja; her parents; two brothers, Don and Jim Minier; and two sisters, Joyce VanBlarcum and Mary Kidder.

An avid Detroit Tigers fan, Marilyn also enjoyed watching all types of baseball, and could often be found at Bailey Park (where she is a member of the AABC Wall of Fame) watching the Stan Musial World Series and other events. She also enjoyed cooking, knitting, golfing and loved family campouts ("Best Holiday Ever Invented") and other family activities, but especially spending time with her grandchildren and their families. Marilyn was a founding member of St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church, where she sang in the choir for more than 30 years, was an active member of the St. Mary's Sisterhood, and was always willing to serve wherever she was needed.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where a Panikhida service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services for Marilyn will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 10, 2019 at the St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church, Battle Creek. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. Memorial contributions in memory of Marilyn may be made to St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church, 5066 B Drive South, Battle Creek, MI 49014. Personal messages for the family and or favorite memories of Marilyn may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.