Marilyn Lawanda Merlin

Marilyn Lawanda Merlin, age 72 went to Heaven on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in Somerset, Kentucky.

 She was the matriarch of our family and will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends, she was our angel on Earth. Marilyn went back to school and obtained her bachelors degree at 65 years old! She also obtained her certificate in Holistic Medicine. She spent 35 years in the nursing profession and she used her nursing skills every day whether it was at her job with the Cancer Treatment Center of America or helping family and friends who called for advice on the medical problems that they were having. 

Marilyn was a avid gardener and loved flowers and plants for which she had a great gift of nurturing and growing a wide array of things. She loved to read books of all kinds and was always reading and teaching herself new things. She always had many cookbooks and loved to try new recipes. Marilyn loved to frequent resale and thrift shops where she always seemed to be the one to find that great deal!  She spent the majority of her life in Illinois but bought a home in Somerset three years ago and she loved living there. Marilyn was also set in her ways and could be very stubborn at times on how she wanted things done. She will be greatly missed not just as a mother, sister and friend but as a beloved grandma and great grandma, who we made into our "GG" so all the little ones had a easier time with her name. We will love and miss you always. 

Marilyn leaves behind two sons; Bobbie (Katya) Jackson of Wheeling,IL and Billie Jackson of Antioch, IL. as well as two daughters; Marenda (Robbie) Schultz of Gages Lake, IL. and Sherry Jackson of Antioch, IL. brothers; Robert VanCleve of Monticello, KY , Steven Hill of Simpson, IL, Barry (Kelly) South of IL. Danny South of Somerset, KY, Kurt South of NY., Michael South of Somerset, KY. sisters; Christine South of Round Lake, IL, Mary Kathy (David) Snell , Tammy Pogue and Cindy South all of Somerset, KY. Twelve grandchildren; Terry Learsch III, Emily Learsch, Kayla (Justin) Knoll, Zack (Raechel) Schultz, Destiny Jackson - Debo, Catalina (Kristopher) Staroske, Logan Jackson - Debo, Kathryn Auckland, Gennessie Revelle, Robert Jackson, Anna Jackson, and Stacy Plakhutina, as well as eleven great grand children, Justin Jr Knoll, Kaylin Knoll, Jace Knoll, Abigail Schultz, Alyse Auckland, Brantley Auckland, Emberlyn Barnett, Malakai Jackson, Wolfgang Staroske, Valentina Staroske, Valentine Learsch.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Billee Hill and Mary Hill South and her step father Frank South, one son Terry Lee Learsch II, and one brother Frankie South and one son in law; Arturo Debo. 

The family will receive friends Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Maranatha Baptist Church from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 2:00 PM with Bro. Steven Griffis and Bro. Mike Griffis officiating. 

Pulaski Funeral Home is honored to assist the family.