Marilyn J. Gramelspacher, 84

, of Jasper, died at her home at 2:45 a.m. on October 11, 2014, from heart and cerebral vascular disease.

Marilyn Gramelspacher was born in Huntingburg, Indiana, on July 20, 1930, to William F. and Evelyn L. (Elshoff) Hoffman.

She married Robert E. Gramelspacher on October 15, 1949, in St. Joseph Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on January 7, of 2006.

She is survived by her children, Jan Stenftenagel and spouse, Charles, Celestine; Gregory Gramelspacher, MD, and spouse, Mary Lou, Indianapolis; Marcia Desmond and spouse, Tom, Winnetka, Illinois; and Mark Gramelspacher, and spouse, Meredith, Indianapolis. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren: Adam and Luke Stenftenagel, Meghan and spouse Andy Koeppel, Colleen and Caitlin Desmond, Anna Maria Gramelspacher, MD, and spouse Jon Levine, Joe, Gregory, and Mary Grace Gramelspacher, Cate, Gus, and Wil Gramelspacher. One brother, William C. Hoffman and spouse, Marlene, Nashville, Tennessee, and sister, Phyllis Truong and spouse, Xuan, of Dunlap, Illinois also survive.

Preceding her in death beside her husband was her sister, Shirley Fallon, who died October 8, 2014.

She was a life-long member of St. Joseph’s, where she was a member of the St. Ann’s Society and the Jasper Circle of the Daughters of Isabella.

Marilyn was a homemaker and expert gardener, who enjoyed singing, walking, tennis, and golf. She was kind and generous of spirit and spread joy to others with her wit and compassion. She was a 65-year member of the Jasper Philharmonic Club, Tri Kappa Associates, and the Jasper Racquet Club.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the noon service time at the church on Tuesday. Private graveside services will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Jasper.

Special thanks to the loving care provided by Home Instead Senior Care and Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Marilyn Gramelspacher requests donations be made to the Indiana University School of Medicine, Robert E. and Marilyn J. Gramelspacher Fellowship in Medical Ethics and Palliative Care. Please make memorial gifts payable to “IU Foundation” and mail to IU Foundation, PO Box 7072 Indianapolis, IN, 46207-7072. Please indicate “In Memory of Marilyn Gramelspacher” on your gift.