Marilee Furlong

Marilee Furlong (née Lehmkuhl) was born on January 5, 1950, in Allegan, Michigan, to Karl and Elaine Lehmkuhl. She spent the majority of her childhood and school years in Vicksburg, graduating from Vicksburg High School in 1968. Shortly after graduation, she began working at Upjohn (now Pfizer), where she remained for almost forty years, eventually retiring in 2008. She absolutely loved her job as a quality control inspector and made many friendships during her employment. In the 1970s, she moved to the Three Rivers area, residing on Fishers Lake for almost fifty years.  

Mom’s children and grandchildren were always a top priority for her, and she made it a point to attend any and every school and sporting event she could and was always down for slumber parties, which often encompassed many rounds of Monopoly.  Other passions of Mom’s included knitting copious amounts of hats, scarves, and blankets, which her children and grandchildren have modeled over the years, as well as reading, gardening, trips to Saugatuck in the summer, Halloween (her daughter is forever traumatized by all the haunted houses she was dragged to as a child), volunteering at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, and anything Michael Bolton—she may or may not have purchased undergarments to throw on stage for him at a concert, which also may or may not have ended up on the guitar of one of his bandmates.  

Mom was also exceptionally organized, hardworking, and quick-witted, always ready to crack a joke. She had an incredible sense of humor, which will be missed tremendously by family and friends alike. A mom to many a feline and canine over the years, Mom was a huge animal lover. Except when it came to snakes. Mom was not a fan of snakes. 

Mom leaves behind to cherish her memory a son Trevor (Megan) Furlong of Tulsa, Oklahoma, daughter Sara (Allen) Burr of Three Rivers, Michigan, grandchildren Allison, Carter, Caylie, Bailee, Mia, and Gavin, brother Brent Lehmkuhl, sister Kris Moyer, sister-in-law Michelle Haner, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and brothers, Brad and Barry Lehmkuhl.

A private graveside service for family and close friends will be taking place on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Vicksburg Cemetery in Vicksburg, MI with a small reception to follow at Avink, McCowen Secord Funeral Home, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for anyone who wishes to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, ASPCA, Christian Aid Ministries, Southern Michigan K9 Search Response Unit, or any other search and rescue organization.  

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Marilee's guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Furlong family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. 269-649-1697