Marilyn Ann (Ellsworth) Colwell

Marilyn Ann Colwell, age 89, of Defiance, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, June 16, 2023 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.  
  
She was born on November 11, 1933 in Napoleon, Ohio to James F. Ellsworth and Vera J. (Varner) Ellsworth.  Marilyn was a 1951 graduate of Defiance High School.  On September 28, 1952 she married Robert O. Colwell, who preceded her in death on October 11, 2015. 
  
Marilyn was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.  She was a Charter member of South Richland Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, and also a member of the South Richland Volunteer Fire Dept. where she served as an EMT.  Marilyn also was a member of the Ridge Runners Farm Bureau Council.  She enjoyed gardening, fishing, and spending time with her family.  Marilyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
  
Marilyn is survived by her sons, Robert Colwell of Lansing, MI, William Colwell of Seattle, WA, and Bruce (Tina) Colwell of Defiance, daughters, Ann Colwell and Connie Colwell, both of Defiance, 9 grandchildren; Holly (Chris) Earl, Michelle (Tony) Steffes, Robert W. Colwell, Steven (Gretchen) Clark, Jeff Colwell, Christopher (Stephany) Colwell, Danielle Wagner, Benjamin Vogel and Brian Vogel, 4 great-grandchildren; Caroline Steffes, Henry Clark, Callie Colwell, and Connor Steffes, and one sister, Susan Pixler, of Seminole, Florida.  
  
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Carol Clark, a granddaughter, JoAnn Colwell, and a great granddaughter, Ava Grace Colwell.
  
Visitation will be held Monday, June 19, 2023 from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home, Inc., Defiance, Ohio, and also one hour prior to services on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church in Defiance. 
     
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. John Lutheran Church in Defiance, with Pastor Kurt Mews officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, Ohio.
  
Memorials are suggested to CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center or South Richland Fire Dept.