Marilynne L. Schroeder Obituary

Marilynne L. Schroeder, 84, formerly of Stevensville & Sodus, passed away, Friday, September 11, 2026 at her home in Niles, surrounded by her loving family.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 21, 2026 at Hope Community Church, 2390 Lake St., Niles, MI with Rev. Nathanael Lyons officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10:00 A.M. Monday at the Church. Memorial donations in Marilynne’s name may be made to Niles Hope Community Church-Children & Youth Ministry. Those wishing to sign Marilynne’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Marilynne was born April 25, 1942 in Benton Harbor to Eric & Linda (Wetkowski) Menchinger, and grew up and worked on the family fruit farm on Nickerson Ave. in Fairplain. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1960 and on October 15, 1960, married Eugene Schroeder at First Church of God in St. Joseph. After raising her family, Marilynne was employed at Graphic Services Co. as a proofreader & typesetter, at Heath Co. as a secretary, followed by many years at Lakeland Hospital as Director of Volunteer Services. The Schroeder’s home in Sodus was surrounded by hundreds of maple trees. Eugene studied the process of making maple syrup, which he soon perfected. He and Marilynne founded Schroeder’s Sugar Shack which they operated from 1997 until 2013. Their syrup won first place in the annual competition in their very first year while they were members of the Michigan Maple Syrup Association.

Marilyn was a long-time member of the First Church of God in St. Joseph, where she sang in the choir, served as secretary of the Women of the Church of God, and as co-treasurer, until she moved to Niles and joined Hope Community Church. In her free time, Marilynne enjoyed tending to her flower gardens, mowing the lawn and other things around the house. She always put God and her family first and cherished the time spent with family and her many friends from work or Church. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Marilynne is survived by her children Michael Schroeder of Benton Harbor, Kristine (Michael) Olson of Kalamazoo; five grandchildren-Jacob (Karli) Vigansky, Jacilynne (Matt) Witt, Jennaka (Nick) Burns, Eric & Nathan Schroeder; nine great-grandchildren-Aubrie, Kendra, Teagan & Xander Witt, Ben & Braxton Vigansky, Ellamarie, Zaine, & Ryeder Burns; her brother Leonard E. Menchinger of Benton Harbor, her sister Erilynne Decker of Huntsville, AL; and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene on March 12, 2025, her parents-Eric & Linda, and her brothers-Eric L. Menchinger & Fred G. Menchinger.