Marilyn J. Gramelspacher, Age 84 of Jasper, Indiana, died at her home at 2:45 a.m. on October 11, 2014, from heart and cerebral vascular disease. Marilyn Gramelspacher was born in Huntingburg, Indiana, on July 20, 1930, to William F. and Evelyn L. (Elshoff) Hoffman.
She married Robert E. Gramelspacher on October 15, 1949, in St. Joseph Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on January 7, of 2006.
She is survived by her children, Jan Stenftenagel and spouse, Charles, Celestine; Gregory Gramelspacher, MD, and spouse, Mary Lou, Indianapolis; Marcia Desmond and spouse, Tom, Winnetka, Illinois; and Mark Gramelspacher, and spouse, Meredith, Indianapolis, 12 grandchildren, One brother, William C. Hoffman and spouse, Marlene, Nashville, Tennessee, and sister, Phyllis Truong and spouse, Xuan, of Dunlap, Illinois also survive.
Preceding her in death beside her husband was her sister, Shirley Fallon, who died October 8, 2014.
Marilyn was a life-long member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She was a homemaker and expert gardener, who enjoyed singing, walking, tennis, and golf. She was kind and generous of spirit and spread joy to others with her wit and compassion.
Funeral services were held at noon on Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, burial followed at Fairview Cemetery in Jasper.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Marilyn Gramelspacher requests donations be made to the Indiana University School of Medicine, Robert E. and Marilyn J. Gramelspacher Fellowship in Medical Ethics and Palliative Care. Please make memorial gifts payable to "IU Foundation" and mail to IU Foundation, PO Box 7072 Indianapolis, IN, 46207-7072. Please indicate "In Memory of Marilyn Gramelspacher" on your gift.

Published in the The Indianapolis Star on Oct. 15, 2014