Marilyn Joyce Berner, 72, 40-year resident of Oak Harbor, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at her Oak Harbor home Sunday, July 11, 2004.

Mrs. Berner was born in Beloit, Wis., Feb. 7, 1932, to Elton O. Seelig and Katherine E. (Shepard) Seelig. She was raised in Beloit and attended schools there. Marilyn married Milford G. “Bernie” Berner March 16, 1951, in Beloit. The Navy brought them permanently to Oak Harbor in 1966. Marilyn was employed by Pioneer Department Store and Payless Food Store before being employed by civil service as a technical librarian for the calibration lab at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. She was a member of the Oak Harbor Emblem Club and the Oak Harbor United Methodist Church. She enjoyed crafts, sewing and the theater.

Marilyn is survived by her five children, Gary E. Berner and wife Nancy, Steven G. Berner and Christopher G. Berner and wife Stacy, all of Oak Harbor; by Kathleen J. Barr and husband Greg of Cle Elum and by Carol Leitch and husband Tony of Lynnwood; by 10 grandchildren; by one sister, Beverly Y. Johnson of Downey, Calif.; also, by her best friend, Shirley Eacrett of Grapeview. She was preceded in death by her husband Bernie in 1989; also by her parents, Elton O. Seelig in 1977 and Katherine E. Seelig in 1989.

A memorial service will be Thursday, July 15, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Oak Harbor United Methodist Church, Rev. David Lura officiating. Private inurnment will precede at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Breast Cancer Research, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024. Arrangements and cremation under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.