Marcella Lorene Bilyeu, 86

Graveside services for Marcella Lorene Bilyeu, 86, of Springfield, formerly of Ozark County, were held Oct. 7, 2022, in the Ava Cemetery. Joe Bright officiated the service. 

Marcella died Oct. 3, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield with family by her side.

She was born Feb. 11, 1936, in Romance, to Nicholas “Nick” and Zella (Harley) Naugle. 

She grew up in the Ozark and Douglas County communities. She graduated from Ava High School. She was retired from working at Missouri State University as an administrative secretary at the campus union. She worked there for over 25 years. After retirement, she worked at Famous Barr in Springfield.     

Marcella was a Christian and a member of The Sunset Church of Christ. She also was a Hulston Cancer Volunteer with Cox Health for many years. 

She had a beautiful voice and sang with the Sweet Adelines. She was very generous and loved to entertain. 

She loved flowers and had a special love for her dogs. 

She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Missouri State University Lady Bears and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. She played softball and was an outstanding bowler. Marcella was a director on the Missouri State United States Bowling Congress Board (USBC) for six years and served the women bowlers of the state and her local association for over 50 years. She was still active on the Greater Springfield USBC Board at the time of her passing. She was inducted into the MoUSBC hall of fame in 2018 and the greater Springfield USBC in 1994. 

She is survived by her best friend, Nancy Mills, for over 40 years and numerous cousins and friends. 

Marcella was preceded in death by her parents Zella and Nick.

Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.