Marilyn L. Fields, 82, passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2021, with her daughters by her side. She was the oldest child born to the late Alfred and Marie (Dotson) Thompson on October 29, 1938, in Knox County, Indiana, along with her twin sister, Carolyn. She would later be joined by five additional siblings.

Marilyn grew up on her family’s dairy farm in rural Knox County and was an active participant in the local 4-H program. She graduated from Bruceville High School in 1956 where she played the tuba for the band and was a member of the chorus.

Marilyn graduated from Elkhart University of Medical Arts as a qualified X-Ray Technician and was also certified in Radiographic Procedures from Purdue University. She began her career in the medical field at the Daviess County Hospital in Washington, Indiana. Through her good friend and hospital co-worker, Mary (Wade) Norton, she would meet her future husband, Dale Fields. Upon relocating to the southside of Indianapolis where her and Dale would establish a small farm, Marilyn continued her medical career with Methodist Hospital and became a Certified Surgical Technician. She also worked at Community Hospital East and in the private practice of Dr. Garth Widdifield. As her own children grew and became of school age, she wanted to be at home more, so she became a school bus driver for the Metropolitan School District of Perry Township. She absolutely loved driving the children and spent the next 40 years doing so.

Marilyn enjoyed music and taught herself to play the acoustic guitar along with the hammered and mountain dulcimers. An avid card player, she loved joining friends in Euchre and Bunco clubs as well as spending countless hours playing Rummy with her grandchildren.

Marilyn is survived by her two daughters; Evelyn (Bill) Harrell, Ginger (Steve) Bradley, 7 grandchildren; April (Jason) Gill, Rachael Ditchley, Kathy Beikes, Nick (Whitney) Robertson, Thomas (Melissa) Hoover, Donald Hoover, Kevin (Mary) Fields, 18 great grandchildren, 3 siblings; William (Marjorie) Thompson, Jack (Jacqueline) Thompson, Ronald (Susan) Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Dale R. Fields, daughter Roberta L. Fields, son James D. Fields, great granddaughter Megan Gill, great grandson Elijah Ditchley, parents Alfred & Marie Thompson, sisters Carolyn Jewell and Beverly Hoeft, and brother Donald Thompson.

A graveside celebration of life for family will be held at a later date, with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Washington, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Dementia Society of America or a charity of your choice.

To share a story about Marilyn or to leave an online condolence please visit www.jonesfamilymortuary.com