Marjie Lou Haning

Marjie Lou Troutman Haning, 65, died peacefully in her home in Waco, Texas on Tuesday, April 22, 2014. Those  who were fortunate enough to have Marjie in their lives knew her as a tireless worker, a close and loyal friend, and an amazingly loving and supportive sister, aunt, daughter and mother.

Local Memorial Service: 10AM Friday, April 25th, at First United Methodist Church, 4901 Cobbs Dr, Waco, TX 76710.

Illinois Memorial Service: 11AM Friday, May 2nd at Grace United Methodist Church, 601 N. 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Cremation entrusted to Lake Shore Funeral Home of Waco.

Marjie was born September 18, 1948 to William and Ruth Troutman in Denver, CO. Their family also lived in Rapid City, SD, and Waterloo, IA, before finally settling in Pekin, IL when Marjie was in her early 20’s.Marjie grew up to be a strong woman and a great leader. She was a breadwinner in the home, and a leader in every community or organization of which she was a part.  She was involved in activities that not only enriched her life, but served as her ministry to others. She was president of her local chapter of PEO, an organization that supports the education of women worldwide.  Throughout her life, she participated  and held leadership positions in many committees, clubs, and social groups.  Before moving to Waco in 2012, she was involved in PEO, sung in the choir at Grace United Methodist Church of Pekin, United Methodist Women, local and state political groups, the Pekin Hospital League and as a civil servant working for the Department of Public Aide for the State of Illinois.

Marjie was a part of multiple bridge clubs and knitting groups, where she used her hands to create beautiful masterpieces of pure love.  She enjoyed singing in the choir at First United Methodist Church of Waco, as well as in the Baylor Senior Singers.  She loved being a part of these groups that bring joy to so many on a regular basis.  She will be fondly remembered for her more exotic arts like making beer can snowmen and baking fancy cookies that looked like hamburgers. She was also a lover of music, and instilled this love in all of her children.

Marjie will be remembered as a woman who loved and served the communities she chose to live in.  She hit the ground running with each club or group she became a part of, and her influence in these groups will be greatly missed.  She was all in and gave of herself in a selfless manner.

Marjie is survived by her former husband, Deane, and their children, William, Andrew, and Hallie (Cook); Andrew’s wife, Laurie, and their two sons, Hunter and Kyler; Hallie’s husband, Nick Cook; Marjie’s brother, John Troutman, his wife Melissa, his children and their families; her brother-in-law, Duane, his wife Joyce, his children and their families; and finally, Marjie’s beloved dog, Ramsey, and her kitten, Joy.  Marjie was preceeded in death by her parents, William and Ruth Troutman, and her sister-in-law, Joyce.

A memorial fund in Marjie’s honor will be set up with Cottey College, a women’s school operated by the PEO Sisterhood, a philanthropic educational organization of which Marjie was a very active member for much of her life.