Gussie McNeil-Marlow, age 85, of Salem, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family.
She was born on September 24, 1940, in Goreville, Illinois, the daughter of Almus Rufus and Vivian (Kelly) Francis. She married Delmer Roy McNeil on March 20, 1959, at Busby Chapel in Goreville, Illinois, and together they shared many years of marriage before his passing. She later married Robert “Bob” Marlow and he preceded her in death.
Gussie retired from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, where she faithfully served for more than 20 years as a Correctional Officer. She was a woman of Christian faith and enjoyed dancing, sewing, and quilting. Most of all, she cherished the time she spent with her family.
She is survived by her children, Delmer McNeil and wife Anita of Dyersburg, Tennessee, Keith McNeil and wife Tammie of Salem, Illinois, Lawain McNeil and wife Pam of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Shannon McNeil and wife Debbie of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; grandchildren, Hannah Wright, Trey McNeil and wife Amy, Megan Sipes and husband Tristan, Ashley Kleindorfer and husband Jason, Logan McNeil and wife Nicole Perna, Sheldon McNeil and wife Angie, Ethan McNeil and husband Joe, Catherine Papet and husband Gabriel, Skylar McNeil, Mikyla Simpson and husband C.J., Summer Hobson, Melia Staton, and Cooper McNeil; great-grandchildren, Tripp McNeil, Walker McNeil, Avery McNeil, Lane Sipes, Eli Sipes, Teddy McNeil, Levi McNeil, Graham Kleindorfer, Lincoln Kleindorfer, Grayson McNeil, Brinley McNeil, Chase McNeil, Charlie Papet, Nixon Simpson, Judah Simpson, Seyah Long, Sayd Long, and Lux McGhee; and siblings, Dorothy Pfeffer, Jeannie Tripp and husband Tom, Rick Francis and wife Ruby and Steve Francis and wife Lorna.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; one grandson, Delmer McNeil Jr; and siblings, Aubrey “Orb” Francis, Don “Curly” Francis, Sam Francis, and Pete Francis.
Funeral services for Gussie McNeil-Marlow will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem with Lawain McNeil officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place at Busby Cemetery in Goreville, Illinois with a graveside service to begin at 2:30 p.m. Memorial donations can be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children and can be received at Crouse Funeral Home. Online condolences can be left at www.CrouseFH.com