Rev. James Hil

James Donald Hill, 80, passed away peacefully at home on April 17. He was born September 24, 1933 in Bad Axe, MI to Marion (Campbell) Hill and Walter Hill. He spent his boyhood in Bad Axe during which time he decided to dedicate his life to the ministry. He graduated from Alma College earning a BA degree in 1955. He then attended McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and received his BD degree in 1960. While in seminary, he interned for one and a half years at Lakeshore Presbyterian Church in Port Huron where he helped organize and conduct it's first Sunday morning worship service at its beginning as a mission church. It was while he was in Port Huron that he met his future wife, Elizabeth Dowswell Hemenger, who he married on August 13, 1960 in Algonac, MI and with whom he would spend 53 wonderful years. In the summer of 1960, he became the pastor at the Presbyterian Church in Concord, MI where he served for four years. In 1964 he became the Associate Minister of Education at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek where he served for 19 years. With a ready smile, infectious humor, and a zest for life, he was a tireless, enthusiastic leader for the youth, providing them with the opportunities to discover the true meaning of serving in Christ's name. A major part of the youth program were the yearly youth work caravans to poverty stricken areas across the US. These mission trip experiences were life changing for many youth as well as treasured memories. Following his years at First Presbyterian, he served briefly as the interim pastor at The Richland Presbyterian Church before founding the Gull Lake Area Community Church in 1987. He served as it's pastor for nine years before retiring from the full time ministry. However, he continued to perform many weddings and funerals and fill in for Sunday services. He also proudly served his country for many years as a Chaplain in the U.S. Navy where he rose to the rank of Captain. He really enjoyed his years ministering to the men and women in uniform. Most of the time was as a reservist, but he did spend time in active duty at the Marine Recruit Depot at Parris Island, SC. In addition to duties as a pastor, Jim was a member of many civic and service organizations. He has served on the boards of the Calhoun Chapter of the Michigan Society for Mental Health and the Charitable Union. He is also a past president and board member of the Battle Creek Child Guidance and Adult Clinic. He was a member of the Battle Creek Lions Club and a past President of the Rotary Club of Richland. In his free time he loved to travel. He and Lib were able to travel all over the world together. They especially loved Hawaii and spent 4 to 6 weeks there every year. His other passion was being out on the boat. He enjoyed taking friends and family on cruises around his beloved Gull Lake. All who knew him knew of his love of the "art" of the pun and corny jokes and not a personal interaction went by without hearing at least one. He also adored his grandchildren and said his greatest regret was not being able to see them grow up. Jim was preceded in death by his mother. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his sister, Lillian (Joe) MacLeod, Bad Axe, MI; three children, Thomas (Heidi) Hill, Spring Lake, MI; Daniel (Bobbi) Hill, Delton, MI; Marian Hill, Huntington Beach CA; and six grandchildren, Timothy Hill, Emma (Jordan) Vasicek, Elizabeth Hill, Ruth Hill, Abigail Hill, and Ian Hill. Friends will be received by Jim's family 5-8 PM Monday, April 21 at Gull Lake Area Community Church, 9292 East C Avenue, Richland, MI 49083. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church, 111 Capital Avenue NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017, followed by a luncheon. Interment with full military honors will follow at 2:30 PM at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the James D. Hill Youth Scholarship Fund at the First Presbyterian Church and the Greer Scholarship Fund at the Gull Lake Area Community Church. Arrangements by the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Jim may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.