Jeanne Hipshear

Jeanne Edna (Clay)Hipshear, 90, of Holland, Michigan, formerly of Niles, Michigan, and Detroit, Michigan, died peacefully in her sleep, following a short illness, on March 10, 2017, at Vista Springs, Holland Meadows, Holland, Michigan.

Born May 20, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, she is predeceased by her parents, Kate and Clarence Clay, brothers William and Junior Clay, sister Margerie Clay Owen and her late husband of 63 years, Harold”Huck” Hipshear.

Jeanne was a secretary during her high school years in Detroit, Michigan. She married and moved to Niles, Michigan, where she was a homemaker involved in 4-H activities with her children and volunteered at what was then Pawating Hospital. She held the hearts of many children and was influential in their lives. She was known for her kindness and was always ready with a cup of tea and a listening ear for whoever walked in her door.

Jeanne’s special gift was her beautiful singing voice. She would spread music wherever she went. She often sang at St John’s Church, where she was a member. Jeanne also directed the Chapel Choir there for many years. She was a true believer and worked in her church and women’s organization.

Survivors include her sister, Betty Clay-Coon of Franklin, Tennessee, and her children, Diane(Daniel) Jackson of Bristow, Virginia, Mark and Linda Hipshear of Elkhart, Indiana, Fred and Janie Hipshear of Dowagiac, Michigan, and Marcia and Edward Wirth of Zeeland, Michigan.

Her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren include: Christopher and Amanda Wirth of Hudsonville, Michigan (Noah Wirth), Rick and Krista Rivera (Preston Rivera) of Indianapolis, Indiana; Alec Hipshear and Katelyn Dinkgrave of South Bend, Indiana, Nora and Brett Mason (Merrick Mason) of Colchester, Vermont; Lauren Hipshear of Elkhart, Indiana; Brooke and Dustin Calhoun (Caroline and Carson Calhoun) of Noblesville, Indiana, JR Joers of South Bend, Indiana; Adam and Desi Jackson (Blakely and Cameron Jackson) of Tom’s River, New Jersey, Allyson and Paige Hanger (Finnegan and Sullivan) of San Antonio, Texas, and Ashlee Jackson of Washington DC. Jeanne was also blessed by many nieces and nephews whose lives were touched by her love.

Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm on Sunday March 12, 2017 at the Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, and the funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017 at St John’s United Church of Christ in Niles, with burial immediately following at Silverbrook Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall of St. John’s Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Church, 601 Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120 and Holland Hospice 270 Hoover Blvd., Holland, Michigan 49423.

The family wishes to extend thanks for the support felt by family and friends as well as the staff at Vista Springs during their mother’s illness.