Marilyn J. Hollensbe

Marilyn Joann Hollensbe, age 87, of Noblesville, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Marilyn was born on April 5, 1939 in Lafayette, Indiana to the late Robert and Josie (Eavey) Wilson. She graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana in 1958. In Lafayette, she met Gerald “Jerry” Hollensbe when they worked together at Goodnight’s Super Drug Store, where she worked as a soda jerk and he was a delivery boy. The couple were later married at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lafayette on June 13, 1959. They were happily married for 66 years. Jerry and Marilyn enjoyed traveling together in their RV and spending the winter months in Florida or Texas. Over the course of her life, she was able to visit all 50 states and enjoyed a trip to Italy with her family.

In every town she lived, Marilyn was very involved in her community. She and Jerry raised their children in Muncie, Indiana. They owned Spartan West Pharmacy, where Marilyn helped run the store, worked as a pharmacy technician, and managed the store area that specialized in selling baseball cards. She enjoyed spending time with her pharmacy wives group and euchre clubs. Marilyn volunteered with the PTO at Morrison Mock elementary school and was den mother for her children’s scout troops. She was an active parent of the Catalina Swim Club and could usually be found at the scorers table.

The Hollensbes later moved full time to their home on Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, Indiana. Marilyn’s grandchildren remember her being able to source coveted collectibles like Beanie Babies and Pokémon cards as gifts, and always having an assortment of treats readily available when they came to visit the pharmacy or the lake house. Marilyn’s children and grandchildren fondly remember summers spent at her home on Lake Wawasee, where pontoon boat rides, family dinners, and relaxing on the pier are cherished memories.

In recent years, Marilyn and Jerry moved to Noblesville to be closer to family. Photos of her family adorned nearly every wall and surface of her home. Marilyn enjoyed quilting, painting, jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, watching TV shows (preferably with Tom Selleck), cheering on Purdue sports, and attending school and sporting events of her grandchildren. She was devoted to her Catholic faith, and was a member of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Westfield, Indiana. Her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, was her greatest accomplishment and pride.

Marilyn is survived by her loving husband, Jerry; two children; Donald (Julie) Hollensbe of Glen Ellyn, Illinois and Sheryl (Bill) Clifford of Westfield, Indiana; thirteen grandchildren; Nik (Kelsi) Hollensbe, Alex Hollensbe, Sydney (fiancé Jay Fazioli) Clifford, Will (fiancée Sarah Whippo) Clifford, Michael Clifford, Sam (Kristin) Scheib, Ben Scheib, Zach (Lauren) Scheib, Jacob (Maggie) Scheib, Leland (Carly) Hollensbe, Eric (fiancée Anya Hatfield) Hollensbe, Daniel Hollensbe, and Lauren Hollensbe; eleven great-great grandchildren, Micah and Khloe Scheib, Marleigh and Myla Scheib, Kassidy and Linley Scheib, Theodore, Vivienne, and Cecilia Scheib, Colin and Shannon Hollensbe; two sisters, Sandy (Tom) Brouwer of Lafayette, Indiana and Sue Knowles of St. Cloud, Florida; as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Robert Wilson, brother-in-law Glen Knowles, and three beloved children; Sharon Scheib, Darrin Hollensbe, and David Hollensbe.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Riverview Hospital and Riverwalk Village for Marilyn’s continued care.

A private mass and memorial service will be held for members of Marilyn’s family at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. A burial will follow at Hamilton Memorial Park. Flanner Buchanan is in charge of the arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy and memorial contributions in Marilyn’s honor may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church.