Betty Jean Hill

HILL, BETTY J. Age 79 Kalamazoo Went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. Betty was born on January 7, 1932 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Fred and Cecil (Taggart) Bucher. She was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo and enjoyed wintering with her husband at their condo in Florida during retirement. Betty was united in marriage to Delbert Hill on October 23, 1953. They were looking forward to celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary this month. Betty graduated from Comstock High School in 1950. She was employed by the Upjohn Company until the birth of her son, Larry. She then became a stay-at-home mom and pursued a successful 30 years career as an Avon representative; many as a member of Avon's President's Club. In her younger days she loved to bowl and enjoyed square dancing with her husband, Del. She also danced beautifully with him to the music of the big bands. She was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and was thrilled by their winning record this season. With her outgoing and loving personality, she enjoyed the company of family and friends often. She especially loved spending time with her two grandsons, Justin and Alex Hill. She looked forward every year to reuniting with Comstock classmates at the school reunion. She loved playing the penny slot machines at the local casinos and in Florida. Betty was a faithful and loving wife; a loving, doting mother and grandmother, a caring aunt and a good friend to many. Those left to grieve her passing and also to cherish her memory, are her loving husband, Delbert; a loving son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Nanette Hill; two grandsons, Justin and Alex Hill; a special niece, Cheryl (Cummins) Westbrook, special nephews, John "Dale" Westbrook and Raymond "Gary" Westbrook; many nieces and nephews, lots of friends and a wonderful church family. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, Vivian Bruley; a sister, Maxine (Bruley) Cummins; a brother, Merle Bruley; a step-sister, Mable (Larry) Westerberg; two step-brothers, Wayne (Eleanor) and Chuck (Margie) Bucher, nephews, Clair and Bruce Cummins; and nieces, Suzanne and Vickilynn (Cummins) Westbrook and Judy (Cummins) Crowell. Betty was a long time member of the Covenant Church of Kalamazoo. Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at the Covenant Church of Kalamazoo, 5708 E. Main St., Kalamazoo, MI 49048 on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dave Hill officiating. Inurnment and committal service at Riverside Cemetery will immediately follow the memorial service with a luncheon afterward at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Covenant Church or to the charity of one's choice. Friends may share a memory online at www.avinkcremation.com Arrangements by: Avink Funeral Home Cremation Society Schoolcraft, Mi