Marian Gravlin

Marian Elaine Gravlin, 86, of Bourbonnais, passed away Thursday morning (Feb. 11, 2010). Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in her honor at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Parish in Bradley. The Rev. Tony Nugent will be the celebrant. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery, Bourbonnais. Memorials may be made to the family wishes. Marian was born Feb. 22, 1923, in Martinton. She was the daughter of Agnes Altmeyer Blain and Oren Blain. Her childhood was spent in L'Erable, where she met her soulmate and childhood companion, Ellis Clinton Gravlin, whom she later married at Scott's Field, Bellville, in 1942, where Ellis was stationed. After returning to the area, Marian became a custom seamstress and worked for many interior decorators in the area. In 1970, she gave up her profession to partner with her husband in their business, G & G Studios/Broadway Printing on Broadway in Bradley. Alongside her children, Mark and Karen, Marian continued to run the business since Ellis' passing in 1991. Marian had great pride in her family business and loved working with customers and the community up until as recently as November, when her illness became too much. Marian was a great mentor and always put her employees before herself. Marian was a standout member of the local community, and her kind, sweet demeanor left a favorable impression on all who were lucky enough to know her. Marian was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley, where she belonged to the CCW and was Woman of the Year in 1996. Surviving are her children, son, Mark Gravlin and daughter-in-law, Sandy Gravlin, of Bourbonnais; daughter, Karen Gravlin Cross and son-in-law, Michael Cross, of Bourbonnais; grandchildren, Brett and Jill Kadow-Cross, Bryan and April Cross, Sarah and John Fetterer, Amanda and Scott Carnes, Lindsay and Jesse Arseneau, Ryan Gravlin and Jen Kelly; great-grandchildren, Oliver Cross, Isabella Cross, Jack Ellis Fetterer, Robert Fetterer, Peter Michael Fetterer, Mia Arseneau, Molly Carnes, Milo Carnes and Ellis Gravlin II; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Lois Sanor, Jackie and Bob Forgue, Barbara Etzel; one brother and sister-in-law, Oren "Bud" and Kay Blaine; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellis; one sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Bob Weaver; two brothers-in-law, Duane Sanor and Richard Etzel; and her parents.

Marian Gravlin

February 22, 1923 - February 11, 2010