Marlene P. (Mueller) Bayer, 92, of Taylor Ridge passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at home.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church, Taylor Ridge. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Taylor Ridge. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in care of the Association for Glycogen Storage Disease or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Marlene was born on March 16, 1931 in Rockford, Illinois, a daughter of Elmer and Helen (Swanson) Stumpf. After high school, she completed two years at Augustana College in Rock Island. She married Richard Mueller on October 11, 1952 in Rockford, IL and he preceded her in death on December 27, 2011. Marlene later married Fred Bayer on November 28, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church.

Marlene was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Taylor Ridge. She was very active within various church organizations there, including the Ladies Dorcus. She also spent her time volunteering as a befriender at Trinity Hospital and reading on radio for WVIK in Rock Island.

Marlene walked Loud Thunder Forest Preserve daily and was known for picking up every aluminum can in sight on her walks. She always made her presence in the room known due to her "sound effects". Her hobbies included listening to music and reading.

Those left to cherish Marlene's memory include her husband, Fred Bayer; children, Brad (Christine) Mueller and Brett (Tiffney) Mueller; grandchildren, Pamela Mueller, Paige Mueller, Jessica (Adam James) Niles, and William (Marleene) Simmons; one great grandchild on the way; and sister, Kathleen (Gene) Jongsma.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard; parents; sons, Charles E. Mueller and Jay A. Mueller; and brother, Rev. Donald Stumpf.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.wheelanpressly.com.