Zink, Marilyn Joyce December 9, 1927 - January 1, 2025

Marilyn Whiting Zink was born December 9, 1927 in Freemont, Ohio to Vadne Louise Peek and Benjamin Franklin Whiting. She passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025 at the extraordinary age of 97. Marilyn was one of five children including two sisters, Maxine Foote and Dixie Martin and two brothers, Joe and Bob Whiting. Marilyn grew up in Vista, Missouri where she attended grade school and was a member of Vista United Methodist Church. Marilyn spent many hours with her siblings at the Vista Roller Skating Rink, which her parents owned. Over the years, she told many stories of growing up in Vista including happenings at the skating rink, visiting the grocery store owned by her aunt and uncle, Tom and Bim, and ice cream at Tommy Lowry’s. One of her more colorful stories involved being left on the train trestle by her older sister Maxine and LaVerne Sink. The pranksters told Marilyn the train was coming and she quickly crawled to safety! Marilyn began high school in Osceola then moved to Kansas City and graduated from Central High School in 1944. After moving to Kansas City, Marilyn worked for Folgers Coffee Company. On October 3, 1948 Marilyn married Pete F. Parhomek. She and Pete lived in Prairie Village for many years while she served as office manager for the law firm of Dietrich, Tyler, Davis, Burrell & Dicus, in downtown Kansas City. Following her time at the law firm, Marilyn became office manager for Zink Safety Equipment in Lenexa, Kansas. After Pete’s death in 1993, Marilyn married Lawrence C. Zink. Following Larry’s death, Marilyn returned to Osceola where she has resided with her sister, Dixie, for the last 30 years. While Marilyn didn’t have children of her own, from 1937 until the day she passed, she enjoyed loving and spoiling many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews. Many memories were made at Christmas Eve gatherings, on Christmas mornings, Fourth of July celebrations, and lots of graduations and weddings. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husbands, Pete and Larry, her siblings: Maxine Foote, Bob Whiting and Joe Whiting. She is survived by her sister Dixie Martin as well as many nieces and nephews. Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Vista United Methodist Church or the St. Clair County Food Banc in care of the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home.