Marla Kibler

Marla Rose Kibler, 79, of Fisher, died on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at Accolade on Pells Nursing Home in Paxton.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at River Valley Church of Christ, 17 Owlcreek Lane, Fisher. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the church. Burial will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery, Fisher.

Marla was born Jan. 28, 1947, in Fisher, a daughter of Alva and Bernadine Cook. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Chuck Kibler, her parents, and siblings, Gloria and David.

She is survived by her six children, four daughters, Theresa (Ted) Conway of Hutchinson Island, Fla., Christi Bowman of Columbus, Ohio, Deanna (Cory) Shumard of Tolono, and Elizabeth (Shawn) Spark of Fisher; two stepsons, Devin Kibler of Tucson, Ariz., and Daniel Kibler of Martinsville; six grandchildren, Gavin, Krystyn, Emmalynne, Nicholas, Sammy, and Charlie; and three siblings, Sharolyn Apke, Sandy Mauer, and Jimmie Cook.

Marla was born and raised in Fisher. She graduated high school in 1965. Marla worked at Chanute Air Force Base, first in word processing, where she received awards for her work, and later in the hospital lab. She met her husband, Chuck, while working at Chanute – she worked on the first floor and he on the fifth. Years later, they both worked at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Bevier Hall for the College of ACES, again with her on the first floor and him on the fifth — a detail that always felt like part of their story.

Marla sold Avon for over 20 years, achieving President’s Club status, and earning two cruises to the Bahamas. She always said that first cruise was the best experience of her life — a memory she cherished.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. More than anything, she loved her children. She wanted the very best for them and worked tirelessly to give them a better life. Her grandchildren brought her immeasurable joy. She loved them dearly and was endlessly proud of them. She loved yellow roses, and her sisters affectionately called her “Rosy.” Her home was filled with laughter, warmth, and unconditional love. If you walked through her door, you were family.

Christmas at Marla’s house was nothing short of magical. No one did Christmas better. She delighted in making the season special — creating joy, beauty, and memories her family will treasure forever.

She was everyone’s mom. Growing up, her children’s friends were treated no differently than her own — welcomed, fed, guided, and loved. Even during her time at Accolade, she continued to mother her nurses and CNAs.

She was a faithful and active member of River Valley Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday school for several years and served as church secretary. Her faith in God was the foundation of her life. It shaped the way she loved, served, and forgave.

In her final days, when her family told her they loved her, she told them she loved them too and said their love was “worth its weight in gold.” That love was the measure of her life.

She was beautiful at every stage of her life, inside and out. Her legacy is love — steady, sacrificial, joyful love. And that love will continue, carried forward by all who were blessed to call her Mom, Grammy, Rosy, or Friend.

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