Marilyn M. Bigham

Marilyn M. Bigham, 85, Nevada, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2013, at Christian Health Care in Nevada, following a lengthy illness. She was born on July 4, 1927, near Horton, Mo., as the only child to Clarence and Mary (Humble) Compton. On May 20, 1949, she married Arvid L. Bigham in Nevada who preceded her in death on May 8, 1989.

After spending her childhood growing up around Horton, she graduated in 1945 from Rich Hill High School. After getting married, they lived in Neosho and North Kansas City before returning to Nevada in the mid-1950s to raise their family. Marilyn spent much of her career working in Nevada including the last 25 years for First National Bank where she retired as assistant vice president -- trust officer in 1992. After retirement, she also worked part-time at Edward D. Jones in Nevada.

Marilyn loved nature and enjoyed being outdoors. After her retirement she loved to travel, take a successful trip to a casino, do volunteer work and spoil her two grandchildren. She was a member of the BPOE Elks, the Order of Eastern Star and a former member of the Berea Christian Church. The past nine years she lived at Culpepper Place in Nevada where she developed meaningful friendships with all who worked and lived there.

Survivors include her only child, Tom Bigham and his wife, Joan, of Lee's Summit; two grandchildren, Jennifer Bigham, of Kansas City North, and Kevin Bigham of Kansas City; and a grandpuppy, Lucy. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 18, at Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call from now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in her memory to the Vernon County Youth Fair Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com