Mrs. Marlene J. Krcilek, 76, of LaPorte, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on June 12, 2013, at 9:20 a.m. at IU Health LaPorte Hospital.
She was born Oct. 19, 1936, in LaPorte to Edward and Shirley (Shafer) Beam and lived here her entire life.
Marlene was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she was a Eucharistic minister, choir member, St. Joseph Rosary Sodality member, RCIA sponsor and bereavement minister. She shared her love of the piano with local nursing home residents. She was a wonderful cook and baker and loved hosting her family and friends. She had a charming personality, with a smile and kind words for everyone she met. She was a selfless and devoted wife and mother, and she especially loved her grandchildren.
On Oct. 12, 1957, in LaPorte, she married Gerald N. Krcilek, who survives.
She is also survived by two daughters, Christine (Richard) Ward of LaPorte and Juliet Sabie (Steven Eaton) of LaPorte; two sons, Gerald Matthew Krcilek of Chicago and Charles Krcilek of LaPorte; nine grandchildren, Bob Sabie, Erik Sabie, Christopher Sabie, Hannah Sabie, Nick Krcilek, Alex Krcilek, Sarah Krcilek, Andrew Ward, and Emily Ward; two sisters, Ann Dolph of Michigan City, IN, and Sharon (Arnie) McIlquham of LaPorte; three brothers, Dale (Monica) Beam of Evansville, IN, Lauren (Nancy) Beam of Phoenix, AZ, and Terry Beam of Knox; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Pamela Krcilek.
A funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, June 17, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Eduardo Malagon officiating. Visitation will be at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Sunday, June 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held Sunday at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte, following the Mass.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 C St., LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.