Marlene Kay Avery, age 59 of Mendon died Saturday, Sep. 23, 2017 following a six-year illness. She was born in Coldwater, MI on Jan. 27, 1958 the daughter of Gary and Eleanor (Sharpstien) Hicks, and was a lifetime resident of the Athens-Mendon area. She graduated from Athens High School with the class of 1976. Marlene was married to G. Alan "Hoss" Avery on June 11, 1985 in Mendon. She worked briefly at the Lear Corporation in Mendon before going to the Mendon Elementary School where she was a teacher's aide, and retired as the Elementary Librarian. She served as President, and was very active in the Mendon Sports Boosters for several years. In her spare time, she enjoyed scrap-booking and Stamp'n-Up.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Alan Avery; two children, Ashley (Curtis) Nelson of Burr Oak and Ryan Avery and his fiance', Rachel Arnett; two grandchildren, Brett and Tyler Nelson; six siblings, Dora (Bob) Fast and Mary (Chris Miller) Guthrie both of Burlington, Don (Cyndi) Hicks of Sherwood, Gary Jr. (Laura) Hicks of East Leroy, Roberta (Joe) Wathen of Athens, and Mike Hicks of Coldwater; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and by a brother, Robert Hicks.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Crossroads Missionary Church. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Crossroads Missionary Church with Rev. Clint Zehr, Pastor of Life Church officiating. Burial of cremains will follow in Mendon Cemetery. It is suggested that memorials be directed to Southern Care Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com