Marlya Jo (Nichols) Wishmeyer, age 73, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2019 at the Comfort House in Pella.
Marlya was born on May 11, 1946 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of William and LaVonne Nichols. Her parents later divorced, and LaVonne was remarried to Lorance Hetherington. Marlya grew up around the Attica area and Attica School and later Twin Cedars High School.
Marlya was united in marriage to Don Derringer in August of 1964 at the Attica Methodist Church. They were blessed with three children, Michael, Melinda, and Marty. They later divorced and Marlya remarried Jim Wishmeyer in June of 1981. They were married until his passing in October of 1999.
Marlya worked as a nurse’s aide for 20 years and was employed at Westridge Nursing Home, Knoxville Hospital, and as a travel nurse. She enjoyed watching TV, especially her favorite show “The Golden Girls” doing word search puzzles, and playing board games and cards. Marlya especially loved spending time with her family.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville, beginning at 4:00 P.M. Marlya’s family will be present to greet friends and relatives from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at the Winfield Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in rural Knoxville.
Those left to cherish Marlya’s memory include her son, Michael Derringer of Pella; daughter, Melinda Stibolt of Leon; sister, Bea (Ron) Hensel of Montezuma; half-sister, Chris; two brothers, John (Barb) Nichols of Altoona and Jim (Barb) Nichols of Knoxville; half-brothers, Bob and Albert; three grandchildren, Ashlyn, Shalyn, and Joseph (Charity); five great-grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Autumn Derringer.
Marlya is preceded in death by her son, Marty Derringer; father, William Nichols; mother, LaVonne Hetherington; step-father, Lorance Hetherington; sister, Kay Thomas; brother-in-law, Bob Thomas; and niece, Mary Thomas.
Memorials may be given in Marlya’s memory to her family.