Marion C. "Kobs" Chitwood

Marion Caroline (Kobs) Chitwood, 87, died Tuesday September 26, 2006 at her residence after a brief illness. Mrs Chitwood was born to Robert and Emma Kobs Chitwood on September 15, 1919 in Oconto Falls, WI. She spent 12 years there prior to moving to Green Bay where she attended Green Bay High School while living with her aunt and uncle, Rev. Charles Damp, his wife, Margaret, and their children Priscilla and Samuel.While in Green Bay, she honed her music and dramatic skills. Her next educational stop was Carroll College in Waukesha, WI, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education with training in History, English and Music. During her college years, she and three college chums formed a quartet that sang at a number of social and church functions in and around Waukesha. In addition, she acted in a number of campus productions. Marion became Mrs. Renville Chitwood on June 6, 1943 at the 1st. Presbyterian Church then located on Sheboygan Street in Fond du Lac. The Chitwoods began married life in Lime Ridge (Sauk County) and later moved to Johnson Creek where she and her husband began their family. Marion spent the bulk of her educational career in North Fond du Lac, teaching history, English and choral music. During the years 1956 to 1963 she directed plays, coached forensics and directed choral solo/ensemble programs. In addition, she built a grade school music program that produced traditional operettas and musicals. Mrs. Chitwood served two area churches; Community Methodist and 1st Presbyterian as Junior High and Chancel Choir director. Many of her high school students were drafted for song at Community and continue in that capacity today. Marion finished her career as a librarian at Bessie Allen School and finally at Friendship Learning Center where she completed her career in 1984. She served on the Fond du Lac County library board and helped develop libraries at Fond du Lac Springs and Divine Savior Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Fond du Lac County and Wisconsin Retired Educators, the Wisconsin Choral Directors Assn. WEA, NEA, and AARP. Those acquaintances will remember Marion for her various musical talents, work as an educator and for her travels to countries all over the world. Also, she hosted visitors during the summer at the family cottage in Mount Morris. Marion was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Kobs and Emma Kobs Longsine (Oconto Falls), her husband, Renville, and sister Mildred Couilliard (West Allis, WI).Survivors include two sons James and Craig of North Fond du Lac, nieces Barbara (Couilliard) Christenson of Greenfield, WI, Jane (Couilliard) Pagel of West Allis, WI, and Judy Couilliard Behling of Denver, CO. and nephews Victor Couilliard Jr. , Thomas Couilliard and Timothy Couilliard all of Milwaukee, WI. and five grandchildren, Matthew (Kimberly) Chitwood of Dodgeville, WI, Emily Chitwood (David) Rhoden of Seattle, WI., Jason Chitwood (Monica) of Waubeno, WI, and Sarah (Chitwood) Perlman of Des Moines, IA., five great grandchildren, and many close friends.



Visitation: will be held at Community Methodist Church in North Fond du Lac from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday September 28, 2006 and again on Friday from 10AM until the time of service at church.Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 29, 2006 at 11am at the church. A memorial will be established in her name for education in the North Fond du Lac school district. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangement. Additional information may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.