The Marion Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its mission, members and community at its 102nd annual awards celebration on Friday, January 20, 2023, at The Pavilion in Marion. The program will feature presentations by the Chamber, elected officials, and 2022 award winners.

One of the awards that will be given during the event is the Award of Excellence, which recognizes a Chamber member who has made significant contributions to the community through the Marion Chamber of Commerce. This person demonstrates personal and professional leadership in the community.

Marilyn Jones Stritzel

Marilyn was born in Eldorado, Illinois to Jack and Charlene Martin. Growing up in Gallatin County, her father ran a farm near Eagle Creek and worked selling Moorman’s livestock feed. Because of his job and the lack of telephone service in Eagle Creek, the family moved closer to Equality. After he retired, he sold real estate and was a real estate appraiser. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom and managed a busy household including Marilyn and her brothers. 

“I did not learn everything I needed to know in kindergarten as we did not have a kindergarten.” Marilyn remembers. She attended school at Equality Elementary and Equality High School plus one semester at University High School in Carbondale, IL. After graduating at the end of her junior year of high school, she attended Oakland City College, Oakland City, IN. 

Marilyn’s life can be defined by her work, her desire for learning, and giving back to others. This started at an early age with helping her grandmother and her aunts clean their houses before she could drive. She also worked as a carhop and waitressed before discovering bookkeeping and began helping her father with the family business. “My parents taught me that hard work and integrity were keys to success.”

Her additional education included certifications from the Illinois State Banks’ School of Bank Marketing in Boulder, CO and Curves University in Waco, TX for physical training and nutrition. She also took courses from John A. Logan College for business and technology as well as Brevard Community College, Melbourne, FL for medical billing and coding.

In 1979 Marilyn moved to Marion to work as Operations Manager for River Venture Trucking Company. In the following years, she became owner of Sears Carpet Cleaning of Southern Illinois, worked as Director of Marketing for the Bank of Marion, and was part owner in City Wide Maintenance.

Marilyn took on a new role in 1983, that would prove to be her favorite, with the birth of her son Allen, and in 1984 with the birth of her son Andrew.

The 90s saw Marilyn transition to Satellite Beach, FL where she worked as the Director of Children’s Ministries and Director of Finance for her church. During this time, she was blessed to be the owner of four successful Curves for Women located in Satellite Beach, FL, Cocoa Beach, FL, Suntree, FL and Rockledge, FL. After selling these franchises, she went to work as Assistant to the President of ASON International in Melbourne, FL. This is a mission based not for-profit organization that serves missionaries in six countries. 

Just in time for the inland hurricane in May of 2009, Marilyn returned to southern Illinois. As owner of Commercial Janitorial Services, she knew Marion was the place she wanted to be. Her commitment to her community is reflected in their mission statement,  “Commercial Janitorial Services takes pride in building relationships with customers and employees by fulfilling our promise of providing top quality janitorial services through men and women committed to honesty, integrity and hard work.”

She considers herself blessed by the Lord with her family.  Allen and his family live in Marion and he is the General Manager at Commercial Janitorial Services. Andrew and his family live in Discovery Bay, CA. He is Branch Sales Manager for Banker’s Life. Allen and Brittany have one son, Adrin age 8. Andrew and Christy have two daughters, Jacqueline 11 and Madeleine 8.

Five years ago, she met and married Joe Dean Stritzel from Marion. Their combined family includes Joe’s son Garrett and wife Brenda with their two sons Luke 20 and Tyler 19; and Joe’s daughter Julie, her husband Tim McSwain and their children Caleb 19 and Rachel 16.

In reflecting on her career, she feels that investing in her staff and the community is very important. When asked her advice on starting a business she is quick to say join the chamber and get involved in your community. She served and chaired several committees for the Marion Chamber of Commerce over the years including their Board of Directors, chairmen of the membership committee for over four years, Ambassador, golf committee, graduation spree, chairman of the children’s parade, annual dinner committee and Big Lakes Country festival committee.

She has also served on the Williamson County Tourism Board and a CASA Advocate for Saline County. Marilyn and Joe sponsor 9 children in Ghana, Africa and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, in 2003, Marilyn was appointed one of six out of 6000 owners to serve on the first Curves International Advisory Marketing Board.

Marilyn serves her church, Southern Illinois Worship Center as a greeter, CORE leader and where ever she is needed. “I have a heart for children and help with ‘Love Goes to Cairo’ as well as many other charitable organizations. I have gone on several international mission trips to Africa, Latvia, Morocco as well as many local mission trips. I believe in investing in people with contributions to local schools, charities and missionaries around the world and on local college campuses.”

As a business owner she has sponsored youth sports, activities, and too many 5K walk/runs to list.

“Every day I thank God for the many blessings He has given me. I am honored and blessed to receive this award,” said Jones.

The 2022 Award of Excellence is sponsored by Southern Trust Bank. The 2021 Marion Chamber of Commerce Award of Excellence was given to Cornerstone Church and Southern Illinois Miners. The award was first given in 1994 to Leo Dingrando.

Additional award winners will be announced during the 102nd annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet & Auction on Friday, Jan. 20 at The Pavilion. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

“The Marion Chamber Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony is Marion’s most prestigious event of the year, said Jared Garrison, executive director of The Pavilion and chair of the Marion Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “We have worked tirelessly throughout the year, engaging and connecting with one another to grow and enhance our community. This event is a celebration of all our efforts towards that work with the highlight of the evening being our award nominees and recipients."

Tickets to attend are $65 a person or $500 for a table of 8 or $750 for a table of 12 and are available by calling the Marion Chamber of Commerce at (618) 997.6311, visiting marionillinois.com or emailing director@marionillinois.com.