Marilyn Dechert

Marilyn Elaine Trainer Dechert, 89, of Decatur, passed on to the Lord, Thursday, July 7, 2022 at home with her family.

Visitation will be Friday, July 15 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur, IL. Burial will follow at Boiling Springs Cemetery. The funeral may be live-streamed by visiting decaturfirstumc.org or by searching for Decatur FUMC on YouTube.

Marilyn was born in Decatur, IL on June 1, 1933 the daughter of Russell and Martha Fay Trainer. She married the love of her life, Richard Dechert, in 1971. Her parents and sister, Gloria Trainer Mueller preceded her in death.

Marilyn grew up across the street from Nelson Park Golf Course where she learned to love the game of golf. After graduating from Decatur High School in 1951, she attended Millikin University. In her freshman year, she traveled to Ohio State University where she won the championship consolation flight of the Women’s Intercollegiate Golf Tournament, open to all women college golfers. She was one of 16 college women golfers to qualify for the match play championship flight. She lost her first match to Kathy McKinnon, who four years later won the LPGA Women’s Open. In consolation match play, she beat players from the University of North Carolina, University of Louisville, and Barbara Little of Ohio State University one up for the championship flight consolation. Marilyn loved the game and throughout the years won 9 Decatur Women’s City and 5 Senior Decatur Women’s Golf titles. She passed on her love and knowledge of the game by serving as the coach of the Millikin Women’s Golf Team for 12 years, starting in 2001 at the age of 69, receiving the CCIW Conference Coach of the Year award in her final season. In 2015, Marilyn was inducted into the Illinois Women’s Golf Hall of Fame. She enjoyed all of the many great life-long friendships that were created through the love of the game.

She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and the Covenant Sunday School Class. She was a collector of antiques and was active in a variety of antique groups, including those with the American Association of University Women. She enjoyed going on antique junkets with friends to find treasures to add to her collection. Marilyn worked in the research department at Archer Daniels Midland and retired in management from Wallace Laboratories.

She is survived by her husband, Richard, of 51 years. Children, Kevin Bramer of Pigeon Forge, TN, Kelly (Ann Marie) Bramer, Bettendorf, IA, Debbie (Mark) Teike, Columbus, IN, Doug Dechert, Newnan, GA and Jody Bramer (Bill) Hunt, Decatur, IL. Grandchildren, Cale (Hannah) Bramer, Ben (Carlye) Bramer, Max Bramer, Stephanie Bramer, Erin Teike (Jamie) Holt, David Teike, Shanthi Teike, Joe (Amanda) Dechert,
Steve Dechert, Kelly Dechert and Katy Hunt (Calen) Edgar. Great grandchildren, Seneca Bramer, Eloise Holt, and Francis Holt.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to be directed to the First United Methodist Church, Macon County Court Appointed Advocates (CASA), or Millikin University Women’s Golf. Marilyn blessed others with her kindness and numerous sacrifices for the benefit of others throughout her life.

Special thank you to the excellent and compassionate nurses and staff at Primrose Retirement Community, Kindred Hospice, Sarah Six, and a host of special friends who have shown her their love and support.