Marilyn S. Sale

Marilyn S. Sale, 99, of Tucson, Arizona, formerly of Moline, Illinois, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Services are 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, with Rev. Peter Galbraith officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to services. Burial is in Rock Island Memorial Park immediately followed by a funeral luncheon at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The former Marilyn Sears was born June 23, 1926, in Rock Island, Illinois, the daughter of Lyman and Myrtle (Palmgren) Sears. She graduated from Rock Island High School in 1944 and began working the following Monday in administrative services for John Deere Plow Works. Over the years, she worked her way up to become secretary to the Works Auditor and later served as a legal secretary in the John Deere legal department before retiring.

On June 14, 1952, Marilyn married the love of her life, Donald Henry Sale, in Rock Island, Illinois. The couple shared nearly 65 years of happy marriage and raised two sons, Marc and Craig. Don passed away February 10, 2017.

Marilyn was proud to be a lifetime member of the former South Park Presbyterian Church in Rock Island, where her grandparents, parents, and aunts and uncles were also members. She treasured her time at church, serving as both an Elder and Deacon, serving as moderator for Presbyterian Women, attending Sunday services, as well as helping with Vacation Bible School and many other activities. Marilyn and Don were active members of the Presbyterian Mariners from 1961 to 2004, serving at local through national levels, including the role of National Skipper. Marilyn was also a member of the Edith Hans Circle of King’s Daughters and Sons for 25 years, and belonged to the Zeta Pi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority.

She enjoyed arts and crafts, especially needlepoint and ceramics, and delighted in anything related to Christmas. Above all else, family meant everything to Marilyn. She cherished traveling with her husband and sons, and her greatest pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marilyn is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Marc and Nora Sale of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Craig Sale of Tucson, Arizona; two grandchildren, Tess (Mike) Zahn of Waukesha, and Garrett Sale of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and four great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Marcus Zahn, Carter Salaj, and Kamryn Armstrong. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; and her son-in-law, Dean Hokel.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.