Donald Hills

Donald Hills was a very generous man who loved his family dearly. With his thoughtful nature and his love for helping others, it was said that Don was simply a “great guy” and devoted family man. Donald, however, always remained a humble man who would rather be with his wife, children and grandchildren than any other place on earth.

Each generation has unique milestones and events that have helped shape future generations. The 1920s were without exception. In 1927, the advent of flight took a giant step when Charles Lindbergh made the first trans-Atlantic solo flight from New York to Paris. The entertainment world entered a new phase with the first talkie motion picture starring Al Jolson. On May 29, 1927, in York, Ohio, Donald Lee Hills was born, an event that would shape the future generations of his family.

Don was the middle of three Hills children with an older sister, Rosetta, and younger brother, Perry. He and his siblings grew up in a loving, Christian home on their farm in Hudson, Michigan, a town just north of the Ohio border. In fact, they lived so close to the border that Don attended school in Fayette, Ohio. As a young boy, Don loved farming and worked hard helping out with their small herd of dairy cattle and tending to whatever crops they were growing at the time. In school, he furthered his agricultural education as a member of the Future Farmers of America. But Don was not all work and no play; he and his sister got into their fair share of mischief too. This included the time they broke the picture window on the house, and although they tried to look innocent, their mother knew something was up when the drapes were moving.

Don graduated from Fayette High School in 1945, and shortly thereafter enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Occupation Forces in World War II. Some time after his honorable discharge, he returned to school to further his education in 1953, enrolling in classes at Fort Wayne Bible College. It was during this time that Don met the love of his life, Eleanor Violet Pascoe, who worked as the chief dishwasher on campus and he was under her supervision. Don also drove many of the students around town for church work, and Eleanor just happened to be one of them. He purposely picked her up first and dropped her off last so they could spent time together. It wasn’t long before love blossomed between the two and they were happily married in 1954. Don and Eleanor were later blessed with two beautiful daughters, Lorraine, who tragically died at the age of 13 from Reyes Syndrome, and Kathy.

Shortly after marrying, Don began attending Nyack Missionary College in Nyack, New York, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He also became an ordained minister and delivered sermons from pulpits in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, and in Alma and South Haven, Michigan. The family eventually put down roots in Marshall, Michigan and became faithful members of the Rice Creek Community Church and later West Eckford Missionary Church, where Don served as the Sunday school Superintendent and teacher, and a Board Member. He is currently a member of the Central Wesleyan Church. Aside from serving, Don put his education to good use and began teaching in rural schools in 1964; however, in 1966, he took a teaching position in the Mar Lee School District, which spanned the next 35 years. But this didn’t stop Don from furthering his own education; he went on to attend Western Michigan University, where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Education.

Although Don’s teaching career kept him busy, it was apparent that his most important job in life was taking care of his wife and daughters. The family enjoyed traveling and took many great vacations over the years, especially to Disneyland. Don and Eleanor also took a romantic cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. And no one could forget the delicious homemade ice cream they made together. Wanting to be closer to their daughter and grandkids, Don and Eleanor moved to Holland, Michigan in 1998, and lived right across the street from them. Nothing made them happier than to share in the lives of their loved ones. A very proud “Grandpa”, Don always wore a hat that had pictures of his grandkids on it; he said it was easier than taking his wallet out all the time.

Besides having a warm, loving heart, Don had a great sense of humor that he loved to share with everyone around him. He enjoyed teasing children and hearing them giggle, yet when it came to him telling a joke, Don couldn’t get to the punch line before laughing hysterically himself. But he wasn’t the only one with a sense of humor in the family. Eleanor joined right in, especially when Don and his brother-in-law, Norman, were doing some remodeling around the house. Eleanor would put up a sign saying the work was being completed by the “little bit off construction company.” It was a good thing Don was a pretty good handyman around the house.

Don Hills was simply a wonderful man. He knew what was important in life, that there was nothing more valuable, more lasting or more rewarding than giving all you can possible give of yourself to your children, your family and friends and your God. He will be dearly missed.

Donald Lee Hills, age 80 of Holland, MI, died on Thursday, July 26, 2007, at the Holland Community Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Violet (Pascoe) Hills; a daughter, Kathy (David) Stearns of Holland; a sister, Rosetta (Norman) Merillat of Waldron; a brother, Perry (Janet) Hills of Pine Bluff, AR; grandchildren, Joshua (Lani) Stearns, Stephani (Phil) Stuller, Emily, Elizabeth and Jonathan Stearns, grandchild, Leyton Stearns . Don was preceded in death by his daughter, Lorraine Hills. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, at the Northwood Chapel of Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 295 Douglas Ave, Holland. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 30, in the Chapel of Central Wesleyan Church. Graveside services 2:30 PM Monday at Oakridge Cemetery, Marshall, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Wesleyan Church Missions Fund. Please visit Don’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.