Marilyn Isabell Caveny, 94, of Litchfield, died on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at 7 a.m. at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center.
Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, Sept. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. The Rosary will be recited at 6:45 p.m. with Deacon Sean Caveny, Mrs. Caveny’s nephew, leading.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, Sept. 8, beginning at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield with Father Dan Willenborg presiding. Burial will be in St. Denis Cemetery in Shipman.
Mrs. Caveny was born Feb. 10, 1929, a daughter of Lyle and Ema (Cummings) Duncan. She graduated from Shipman High School with the class of 1947, where she was a cheerleader. She and Joseph Emmett Caveny were married April 29, 1950, at St. Denis Parish in Shipman, with Father Walsh officiating. Mr. Caveny preceded her in death Jan. 9, 2000.
As a young woman, Mrs. Caveny worked as a veterinary assistant for Dr. Robert Brakefield in Macoupin County, worked at Western Cartridge in East Alton and at the JC Archer Allis-Chalmers Dealership in Shipman at the parts counter.
As a young Army bride, she followed her husband to Kansas when he was drafted in 1950, where she planted trees along the highway for the state. When he was sent overseas, she returned to her parents’ farm in Shipman. Upon his discharge in 1954, they started farming in North Litchfield Township. She became a full-time farmer’s wife, and then later a full-time coal miner’s wife.
Active in St. Aloysius Parish Altar and Rosary Society, she also cared for the priest’s and altar boys’ vestments for many years. A Cub Scout leader, she volunteered for the American Red Cross and for the food pantries. She loved fishing, animals and baseball, and was a die-hard Brooklyn Dodgers fan, transferring her allegiance to Los Angeles, CA, when they moved.
In later years she loved mowing, reading, traveling, lunch and games with friends, swimming, dancing and music. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life, and she attended all of their events until her health made that impossible.
Mrs. Caveny is survived by two sons, Joe (Lori) Caveny of Litchfield and Tim (Candace) Caveny of O’Fallon; one daughter, Elaine (Jeff) Stone of Lewistown; four grandchildren, Shannon Caveny of St. Louis, MO, Erin Caveny of Litchfield, Justin (Cassie) Stone of Lewistown and Tysin Stone of Lewistown; two great-grandchildren, Cameron Stone and Regan Stone, both of Lewistown; and three sisters-in-law Billie Caveny, Kathy Hantla Walden and Arlene Duncan.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses, Boyd (Christie) Duncan, Bill (Margie) Duncan, Robert Duncan, Jinny (Thornton) Leatherby and Ardie (Ed) Caveny.
Her love of her grandchildren and her love of music led to her wish for memorials in her name to be made to Lewistown School District #97 Music Department or to Litchfield School District #12 Music Department.
To sign the online register book, light a virtual candle or for more information, visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
