Remembering Marilyn: Beloved Former Owner of Stones Jewelry Passes at 88

Marilyn Johnson, former co-owner of Stones Jewelry and beloved member of our family, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 while at home. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Marilyn and her husband Jason purchased Stones Jewelry from Emil Shebik in 1974, and Marilyn worked beside her husband here at the store until they passed it on to their son-in-law, current owner Dave Petti, in 1982.

The couple had a great love for jewelry, having started Jason Johnson Jewelers in Madison, Wisconsin before moving to Wheaton. This love was passed down through the family: Marilyn’s daughter, Marsha Fredrickson, designs pieces for Stones Jewelry, and Marilyn’s youngest granddaughter, Hillary Fredrickson, works in the store today. Additionally, Brad Huiner, husband to Marilyn’s granddaughter, Lea, became a member of the Stones Jewelry team this year and is next in line to own and operate the store.

Marilyn grew up in Moline, where as a young adult she worked at John Deere and attended the First Covenant Church. She graduated from North Park College in Chicago, where she met and married her husband of 64 years, Jason. The two began raising a family in Madison, and Marilyn joyfully opened her heart and home to a fourth child, a foster daughter. Her gift of hospitality was evident to all who knew her – neighbors, friends and family were ALWAYS welcome in her home.

While in Wheaton, Marilyn and Jason were members of Wheaton Evangelical Free Church. In 1982, when they bought a 17-acre vineyard in Sawyer, MI, they became members of Harbert Community Church, which they attended for over 25 years with many treasured friends. Her grandchildren all loved riding the tractor, swimming and sleeping in the caboose at their farm.

The Johnsons were snowbirds who wintered in Key West. Marilyn loved to fish, play Bingo, sing in the Keys Chorale and attend the Key West United Methodist Church. In 2011, Marilyn and Jason returned to the Wheaton area to be closer to family. Here she enjoyed the social amenities, lovely grounds and, most of all, meeting with friends at Windsor Park.

A service honoring Marilyn and celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at Windsor Park, 124 Windsor Park Drive, in Carol Stream, IL. The family will be available for conversation at 5:30 pm with a memorial service to follow at 6:30. Interment will be private.