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Marcia E. Wham passed away on June 10, 2009 at National Health Care in Oak Ridge. Marcia grew up in central Illinios and spent most of her eighty six years in Illinois. She was a resident of Oak Ridge for five years.

Marcia was born on April 27, 1923 to Homer and Helen Martin. She grew up in Taylorville, Illinois, and graduated from Taylorville High School in 1941. While a teenager, Marcia enjoyed traveling throughout the country with her grandparents, mother and sister. Following high school Marcia attended Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi, with a focus on learning secretarial skills.

In 1952, Marcia traveled the country as a supporter of Adlai Stevenson’s campaign for president. After the campaign she joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When her youngest child started school Marcia obtained her real estate broker’s license and handled home sales in the Springfield area.

Marcia served as a secretary in the Illinois State Senate for over 20 years as a secretary to Republican senators.

Marcia volunteered her time to the Springfield community in many ways. She served as a leader for Cub Scouts and Brownies and supported the schools as president of the PTA. She also served as an election judge in local elections, and was a member of Pilots, a philanthropic organization.

She married Robert Wham on November 21, 1956. During their nearly 30 years of marriage Marcia and Bob and enjoyed many evenings playing bridge with a close-knit group of friends. She also engaged in this pastime with a group of women who met for afternoon sessions of bridge.

She is survived by her children, Bob (Dana) of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Maleta (Ken) Simek of Barrington, Illinois. Marcia was a devoted “Mimi” to her grandchildren Kellye (Mike) Arning, Matthew Wham, Wesley and Andrew Simek , and by her great grandson Charlie Arning. She also leaves her sisters Natalie (George) Upchurch of Taylorville and Florida, and Cinda (Chuck) Drake of Florida.

Marcia was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her sister, Patricia, and her parents, Homer and Helen Martin.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association.