West Branch, Iowa Marilyn Ann Mathias, 75, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, April 5, 2012. There will be a private family funeral service on Monday, April 9, 2012 at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch, following the funeral service she will be laid to rest in the West Branch Cemetery. Following the burial, in celebration of Marilyn’s life, there will be a memorial luncheon open to all friends and family held at 12:00-2:00PM on Monday, April 9, 2012 at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch. Marilyn was born on December 31, 1936 to Leonard Arthur Sr. and Mary Leona (Finnegan) Phelps. She graduated from West Branch High School in 1955. Marilyn spent the summer following graduation in Chicago, working on a cruise ship at Navy Pier. She graduated from Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and operated her beauty shops in Kalona and West Branch for some years. Marilyn Ann Phelps was joined in marriage with Claude Eugene Mathias on November 28, 1959 at St. Thomas Moore Church in Iowa City, Iowa. Marilyn and Gene have resided in West Branch, Iowa, for their entire married life. Marilyn took time out of her career to raise their four children, Robert, Michelle, Lisa and Angela. With all her gifts and talents as a loving wife, mother, and care taker, she later re-entered the workforce at Crestview Care Center where she spent the last 39 years as the “mid-night Angel.” She will be forever missed and loved by her husband, children, grandchildren, and countless lives she has touched. Marilyn is survived by her loving husband, Gene Mathias, her four children, Robert (JoAnn) Mathias of Pleasant Hill, IA, Michelle Riley of West Branch, IA, Lisa (Vince) Logan of Indianapolis, IN and Angela Hopkins of West Branch, IA. Her grandchildren: Danielle (Tim) Eshelman of Des Moines, IA, Justin (Deanna) Mathias of Des Moines, IA, Jordan Logan of Boston, MA, Andrea Logan of Indianapolis, IN, Ricky and Ashley Riley of West Branch, IA, Haley Hopkins of West Branch, IA; great grandchildren: Alexis Eshelman and Audrey Mathias of Des Moines, IA. Marilyn is also survived by her sister Roberta Parker of Tipton, IA and a brother Leonard (JoAnn) Phelps of Solon, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard Sr. and Leona Phelps and her brother-in-law, James Parker. In lieu of flowers, a general memorial fund has been established for Marilyn Ann Mathias. Monday April 9, 2012, 12:00 - 2:00PM at Henderson-Barker Funeral Home West Branch Click for Map and Directions