Marianne Cantrell of Lake Lotawana, Missouri, died peacefully at home just before 11pm, Tuesday, February 20. She celebrated her 95th birthday on February 10. Mrs. Cantrell was formerly a resident of Salem, Illinois, living there from 1965 to 2015. She is survived by three children; a son, Bill Henderson, daughters Valinda Cowing and Lori Davis; a stepson, Steven Cantrell; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; six great-granddaughters and two step-great-granddaughters. Mrs. Cantrell was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, on February 10, 1929, to Jess and Lola Belle Knauss. She and her sister, Betty, graduated from Mt. Vernon High School. Marianne spent her early married life raising her children while working various jobs in the banking industry. In 1965 she and her husband, William Henderson, moved their family to Salem, Illinois, when he joined the Christian Universal Life Insurance Company. William passed away in 1969 leaving Marianne with a son in college, a daughter in high school and a one-month-old baby girl. Marianne stayed in Salem and married Salem resident, Carl Y. Cantrell in 1972. She worked with Carl at his insurance and real estate agency until they sold the business and retired. Four years after Carl’s death in 2011, she moved to Lake Lotawana to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Lori and William Davis and their family. Marianne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved God, her family, all people (she never met a stranger), dogs, singing, playing cards, golfing, travel, an occasional Casino trip (she was ridiculously lucky) and a cat (in her last years). She was active in the PEO Sisterhood for many years. Her love, sense of humor and enjoyment of life will be missed by her family. She was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Justice, her stepson, David Cantrell and her sons-in-law, Owen Cowing and William Davis. Funeral services for Marianne Cantrell will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Salem. Burial will follow at Paradise Cemetery in Salem. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions in Marianne’s name can be made to Cottey College and can be sent to 1000 W. Austin Blvd, Nevada, MO 64777. Local obituary and service information is provided by Crouse Funeral Home in Salem. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.CrouseFH.com.