Marilyn M. (Berry) Vizina

Marilyn Vizina, 90, of Indian River died peacefully on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. 

Marilyn was born on December 9, 1929 to Marie and Malo Berry.  Early in her life, The Berry family moved to Onaway where Marilyn was the oldest of thirteen children, which included nine brothers, Dale, Allen, Loren, Neil, Wayne, Lee, Clyde, Randy and Kent Berry and three sisters, Elaine Smith, Audrey Badgero, and Nancy Madison.  In 1951, she married the love of her life, Bert Aldrick Vizina, and together they raised six children, Patrick Vizina, Diane (Mark) Whitman, Michael (Karen) Vizina, Mary Porter, Barry (Tammy) Vizina, and Jason (Terri) Vizina.

In the early 1960’s, Bert and Marilyn established Michigan Insulation Company which they ran together for many years, until Bert’s passing in 1985.  Later that same year, Marilyn served as the first female Cheboygan County Commissioner, and was instrumental in arranging a permanent ambulance service in the Indian River area.   Additionally, she spent many years working and volunteering at The National Shrine of Cross in the Woods and St. Monica’s Church in Afton.  She enjoyed spending time with her morning coffee club, traveling with her casino and bingo buddies, her curve luncheon group and her many friends from the church.  Above all, she loved spending time at her Burt Lake cottage with her family and especially her grandchildren, Sarah Porter, Justin Whitman, Darren, Ryan, Brent, Brandon and Troy Vizina, Travis, Jaimee and Beau Vizina, Sammi and Jordan Vizina,  Lauren Vizina and as well as twelve great grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bert, siblings Dale, Allen, Elaine, Audrey and Kent, son Patrick, daughter-in-law Karen Vizina, son-in-law Mark Whitman, and grandchildren Barron Vizina and MaKayla Vizina Connelly.

Funeral services are being officiated by Father Michael Haney ofm at The National Shrine of Cross in the Woods on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.  Visitation is at 11:00 am with a funeral mass at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow immediately after the funeral mass, at the St. Monicas Church cemetery in Afton.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions on Marilyn’s behalf can be made to the Cross In the Woods,  The Inland Lakes Educational Foundation, or Kim’s Kloset at the Inland Lakes Schools. 

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