Marianne Simmerly of St. James, Missouri was born August 31, 1958 in Springfield, Missouri to Truman and Neva (Wimberley) Hardin and passed away Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the age of 68 years.
She grew up in the Springfield area and graduated from Parkview High School with the Class of 1976. Shortly after graduation, Marianne began a career in retail, managing several women’s department stores over the course of more than 30 years.
In 2018, Marianne met Garrell Simmerly Jr. and the two quickly became inseparable. They were married on August 18, 2023.
She loved the outdoors, especially the river and ocean, and held a special fondness for Springfield history and the Finley River. She enjoyed collecting seashells and Buffalo nickels, selling jewelry at gun shows, and cooking and baking. Marianne was known for her pristine hair, nails and clothes and a big sense of humor. She treasured her nieces and nephews and her cat, Mia Meow.
Marianne helped at Arapaho Campground with marketing, advertising, reservations and working the counter. One of her favorite parts of being at the campground was watching the river baptisms held by The Ridge Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Truman and Neva Hardin; and brother, Michael Hardin.
She is survived by her husband, Garrell Simmerly Jr. of St. James, Missouri; step-children, Garrell Simmerly III and Sunny Simmerly both of Sullivan, Missouri; sister, Jeannine Spencer and husband Tim of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; parents-in-law, Garrell Sr. and Alene Simmerly of Bourbon, Missouri; sister-in-law, Sherry Jannings of Bourbon, Missouri; nieces and nephews, John Spencer and wife Jana of St. Louis, Missouri, Caleb Spencer and wife Sanjana of Toledo, Ohio, Cheryl Hardin and Lucas Hardin of Springfield, Missouri and Shane Jannings and wife Kristen of Kentucky; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, September 28, 2026 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.
Graveside service was held at 1 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026 at Hardy Cemetery in Bourbon, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, Missouri.
