Marilyn Ethel Guenther

b. 21 February 1923, d. 10 January 1970

Marilyn Ethel Guenther Wilson, 1923-1970
  • Marilyn Ethel Guenther was born on 21 February 1923 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • Gaylord Stephen Guenther and Mary Ethel Sierk appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1925 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1887 Cleveland Avenue. Other members of the household included Marilyn Ethel Guenther, Lillian F. Sierk.
  • Gaylord Stephen Guenther and Mary Ethel Sierk appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 1887 Cleveland Avenue. Other members of the household included Marilyn Ethel Guenther, Jack Gaylord Guenther and Jane Audrey Guenther.
  • The following appeared on 16 March 1938 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Intra-Mural League (North Junior) Ninth grade captain ball at North junior high school was keenly contested during the past week with the following roll call rooms reaching the quarter finals: 204 captained by Mary Jones, 311 captained by Eleanor Behm, 405 captained by Margaret Turbine, and 306 captained by Marilyn Guenther.
         . . . In the final game, at the end of a two minute overtime play the score was still tied, 8-8. Two more minutes of overtime play found Marilyn Guenther's team the winners. . . .
  • Gaylord Stephen Guenther and Mary Ethel Sierk appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 1887 Cleveland Avenue. Other members of the household included Marilyn Ethel Guenther, Jack Gaylord Guenther and Jane Audrey Guenther.
  • In April 1941, Marilyn was photographed with her beloved piano.
    Marilyn Ethel Guenther and her piano, April 1941
    Marilyn Ethel Guenther and her piano, April 1941
  • Young Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson were caught in a snapshot in 1941.
    Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson, 1941
  • The following appeared on 16 February 1943 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Miss Marilyn Guenther, a student at William Smith College, N. Y., spent the weekend with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Guenther, of Cleveland avenue. . . . Ensign Jack Guenther, personnel officer with the See Bees at Camp Peary, Virginia, spent the weekend at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Guenther, of Cleveland avenue. Enroute to Camp Peary, he will stop at Washington, D. C., where he will receive special training.
  • She received her B.A. degree from William Smith College in June 1945.
  • Marilyn was photographed laughing.
  • Bob Wilson and Marilyn Guenther were photographed on two occasions in 1946 Niagara Falls with young niece Elsa.
    Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson with niece Elsa
    Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson with niece Elsa
  • Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson were photographed in April 1948.
    Marilyn Guenther and Bob Wilson, April 948
  • Bob Wilson and Marilyn Guenther were photographed in April 1950, a few months before their marriage.
    Bob Wilson and Marilyn Guenther, April 948
  • During the summer of 1950, family gathered at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara Falls for the christening of Frederick Augustus Vorwerk Jr. Pictured are infant Frederick and his parents, Pete Wilson, Marilyn Wilson (husband Bob the photographer), Elsa Vorwerk, Elizabeth Vorwerk, Louise Wilson and Eleanor Hayworth, with young Frederick's sisters Margaret and Elsa Vorwerk in front.
  • The following appeared on 21 October 1950 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Marriage Licenses . . . Oct. 16 - Robert Emerson Wilson, 336 Seventh street, and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 1887 Cleveland avenue.
  • The following appeared on 20 October 1950 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Out-of-town guests attending the Wilson-Guenther wedding tomorrow will be: Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Vorwerk, Lauerlton, N.J; Mr. and Mrs. Carroll W. Corliss, Batavia; Dr. and Mrs. Leo C. Sierk, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ames, Miss Beverly Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Sierk, all of Attica; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Sierk, Mr. Paul Sierk, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Cady, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Sierk, Darien; Miss Edna Dusinberre, Mrs. Sarah Lindsay, Geneva; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hunn, Pavilion; Mr. Paul A. Mitchell, Forest Hills, L.I; Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hayworth and family, Mimico, Ont., and Miss Gertrude Everett, Toronto, Ont.
  • She married Robert Emerson Wilson, son of Peter MacIntosh Wilson and Louise Hayes, on 21 October 1950 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at First Presbyterian Church.
    Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 21 October 1950
    Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 21 October 1950
    Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 21 October 1950
    Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther, 21 October 1950
  • The following appeared on 23 October 1950 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: The First Presbyterian church was the scene of a lovely autumn wedding on Saturday afternoon when Miss Marilyn E. Guenther, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord S. Guenther, Cleveland avenue, and Mr. Robert E. Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Wilson, Seventh street, were united in marriage. The Rev. Charles C. Berryhill officiated at the double-ring ceremony.
         White gladioli and chrysanthemums added to the setting of candlelight and palms.
         Mrs. Charles M. Offenhauer, accompanied by Mrs. Katharine E. Endres, organist, provided the musical background with "Because" and "I Love Thee."
         The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a bridal gown of gardenia white satin with a scrollwork design on the Peter Pan collar and on the front and back of bodice. The same design was carried out in the front panel of the fully-gathered skirt which extended into a cathedral-length train. Her fingertip veil of imported scalloped illusion fell from a fitted helmet of shirred satin. She carried a cascade bouquet of white chrysanthemums.
         The maid of honor, Miss Jane Guenther, sister of the bride, wore a gown of emerald green satin with matching gauntlets. The mandarin neckline was accented with a beaded motif on each side. The back of the fully-gathered skirt fell into a cascade of ruffles. She carried copper colored chrysanthemums and wore a matching headpiece.
         Mrs. Jack Guenther, sister-in-law of the bride, and Mrs. Richard Sharp, bridesmaids, wore gowns of shrimp satin, fashioned after that of the maid of honor. They carried bronze chrysanthemums and also wore matching headpieces.
         Mr. Jack Guenther, brother of the bride, was best man. The ushers were Mr. Paul Mitchell, Forest Hills, L. I., and Mr. Richard Sharp.
         The mother of the bride selected a dress of skipper blue crepe with blue and rose accessories. An orchid corsage completed her ensemble. The bridegroom's mother wore a teal blue dress of tissue faille with black accessories and an orchid corsage.
         Following the ceremony, a reception for more than 200 guests was held in the church parlors. Colored leaves and flowers carried out the autumn theme. The bride's table, decorated with garlands of white flowers and fern, was centered with a three-tier wedding cake.
         Assisting at the reception were Mrs. Frederick Vorwerk, Laurelton, N. J., sister of the bridegroom; Mrs. Caroll Corliss, Batavia; Miss Beverly Ames, cousin of the bride, Attica, Mrs. Harold Kneeppel, Mrs. Stanley Kresses and Mrs. George Cassford, this city.
         The bride chose for travel a gabardine suit of barberry red with matching hat and grey accessories. A white chrysanthemum corsage completed her ensemble. After a motor trip through the New England states, the couple will reside at 649 Eighth street, this city.
  • The following appeared on 1 August 1952 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Gaylord S. Guenther, 60, who had been in the contracting business here for many years, died of a heart attack early today at his home, 1887 Cleveland avenue.
         A Fire department inhalator squad administered first aid to Mr. Guenther for 15 minutes before he was pronounced dead at 4 a.m. by his doctor.
         Mr. Guenther was a native of Holland, N. Y. He came to this city 36 years ago and was associated with the Charles W. Moyer company, contractors, for 20 years. He later served as superintendent for the Walter S. Johnson Building company for several years.
         For the last ten years, until his retirement, Mr. Guenther operated the Gaylord S. Guenther contracting business.
         He was a member of the First Presbyterian church, the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Associated General Contractors.
         Funeral services for Mr. Guenther will be conducted at the Gridley Funeral home at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery, Attica.
         Mr. Guenther is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary E. Guenther; a son, Jack G. Guenther; two daughters, Mrs. Robert E. Wilson and Miss Jane A. Guenther, all of this city, and his father, William H. Guenther, Warsaw, N. Y. He is also survived by four grandchildren.
  • The following appeared on 9 May 1953 in the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal: Miss Jane A. Guenther, daughter of Mrs. Gaylord S. Guenther of Cleveland Avenue, Niagara Falls, and the late Mr. Guenther, became the bride of Donald J. Stone, son of Mrs. Albert P. Stone of Ontario Street, and the late Mr. Stone, on Saturday, May 2, at the First Presbyterian Church, Niagara Falls. The Rev. Charles C. Berryhill officiated at the ceremony.
         The bride, escorted by her brother, Jack G. Guenther, chose a street-length dress of dior blue lace with bracelet-length sleeves and full skirt. The boat neckline was edged with pleated nylon net and a wide flounce of nylon nte trimmed the hem of the skirt. She wore a matching hat and carried a Colonial bouquet of pink sweetheart roses.
         She was attended by her sister, Mrs. Robert E. Wilson, who was attired in a dress of champagne lace with matching accessories, and carried a Colonial bouquet of daffodils and baby iris.
         Charles A. Switzer was best man and William F. Lynch was the usher.
         The reception was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Guenther, Oak Street, Niagara Falls, for the immediate families and the wedding party.
         Mrs. Guenther wore a silk shantung suit of cadet blue with pale pink accessories and an orchid corsage. The mother of the bridegroom selected a Wedgewood blue silk print dress with matching accessories and an orchid corsage.
         Mr. and Mrs. Stone will reside at 7 Sixty-seventh street after a brief wedding trip. For trraveling the bride chose a navy blue gabardine suit with navy blue and white accessories, and wore a corsage of cymbidium.
         Miss Guenther is a graduate of Niagara Falls High School and William Smith College, Geneva. She is a case worker with the Niagara County Welfare department.
         Mr. Stone, a graduate of Lockport High School, is an alumnus of Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., and attended Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind. He now is with the engineering department at Hooker Electrochemical Company.
  • A photographic portrait was made in 1957 of Marilyn Wilson with sons Steve and Rob.
    Marilyn Wilson with sons Steve and Rob, 1957
  • The following appeared on 16 June 1962 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Mary E. Guenther, of 1887 Cleveland Ave., a resident for the last 46 years, died unexpectedly in her home Friday (June 15, 1962). She was 72.
         Mrs. Guenther was a native of Attica. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and belonged to the Women's Association at the church. She was also a member of the Mother's Corner Club.
         Mrs. Guenther was the widow of Gaylor S. Guenther, a local contractor, who died in 1952.
         Surviving are a son, Jack G. Guenther, this city; two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Marilyn) Wilson, of Fairport, and Mrs. Donald J. (Jean) Stone, of North Tonawanda; a sister, Mrs. Harold F. Ames, and two brothers, Glen and Ray Sierk, all of Attica, and another brother, Dr. Leo Sierk, of St. Petersburg, Fla; and seven grandchildren. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Gridley Funeral Home. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, in Attica.
  • Marilyn Ethel Guenther died on 10 January 1970 at age 46 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York.
  • Robert Emerson Wilson became a widower at her death.
  • She was interred at Forest Hill Cemetery, Attica, Wyoming County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 12 January 1970 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Robert E. Wilson, 46, a Niagara Falls native and formerly active in music circles here, died in Highland Hospital, Rochester, Saturday (Jan. 10, 1970) after a long illness.
         Mrs. Wilson, the former Marilyn E. Guenther, lived with her husband on 5 Harvest Road, Fairport. They also had lived in Syracuse since leaving here about 12 years ago. Mr. Wilson is also a Niagara Falls native.
         Mrs. Wilson attended local schools and was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School and William Smith College, Geneva.
         She was a member of the Niagara Falls Philharmonic Orchestra and was active in music here and in Syracuse.
         In addition to her husband, Mrs. Wilson is survived by two sons, Robert P. and Steven L. Wilson; a brother Jack G. Guenther, this city; a sister, Mrs. Donald J. (Jane) Stone, North Tonawanda, and several nieces and nephews.
         Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Emery-Curtis Funeral Home, Fairport. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, Attica.
  • A single grave marker identifies the graves of Robert Emerson Wilson and Marilyn Ethel Guenther.
  • Last Edited: 18 May 2017

Family: Robert Emerson Wilson b. 23 May 1922, d. 12 February 2013