Marilynn Welker Kinzer, born May 16, 1918 in Vandalia, IL, died Jan. 8, 2004 in Oak Park, IL. Daughter of the late Will P. Welker and Oral S. Welker of Vandalia, studied piano and organ at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and then Millikin University. Her senior year was interrupted in 1942 when she moved to Oak Park with her husband, Charles, for his civilian war effort. 60 years later, on her 80th birthday, Mil- likin proudly awarded her a BA in music based on her lifetime music career, music advocacy, and community service. Her performance career included many years with the MacDowell String Trio, accompanist at Roosevelt Univ., and featured solo performances in Orchestra Hall on Michigan Ave. She joined the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity at Milliken in 1939. She was a charter member of the Oak Park alumnae chapter in 1946 serving two terms as president, served as the SAI Midwest Region Province President, and received the fraternity’s Sword of Honor, Rose of Dedication and Rose of Honor. She was a member of the Nineteenth Century Woman’s Club serving on various committees. In her later years she was very active as a volunteer at the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitors Center and received their volunteer of the year award, worked on committees of the Unity Temple Concert Series, and volunteered in the office of Grace Episcopal Church. Services 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2004 at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St., Oak Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Sigma Alpha Iota Oak Park Alumnae Chapter Scholarship Fund and also the donation of used musical instruments to their Instrument Encore Program which provides instruments for new students. Gifts may be sent to: SAI c/o Dona Budil, 708 Des Plaines Ave. Riverside, IL 60546. Wife of the late Charles A. Kinzer; mother of Lloyd W. Kinzer of Virginia and Charles E. Kinzer of California; grandmother of Karsten W. Kinzer of Virginia, Kyle M. Kinzer of Virginia and James J. Kinzer of Hawaii; sister of Lloyd M. Welker Sr. of Florida.
