Thelma Arlene (Hilliard) Wayward/Shaver
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Thelma Arlene Hilliard was born on July 30, 1927 in Eaton Rapids, Eaton County, Michigan, USA. She was the daughter of Alfred George & Jennie (Livingston) Hilliard.
She grew up on the family farm and was a graduate of
Springport High School. Growing up in the farm helped form her strong work
ethic. Over the years she assisted with running the family business, Wayward
Construction. She also worked in the Marshall Public Schools as an office staff
member, and earlier was employed at Win Schuler's Restaurant. In the early
1980's, she worked for the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home as a receptionist. Over
the last several years, she had served as a Foster Grandparent for Marshall
Academy.
In April 1956, she married George Richard Wayward in Scottsville, Michigan. They enjoyed 53 wonderful years together until he preceded her in death on March 15, 2009.
On September 19, 2012, she married Merlin Maynard "Mutt" Shaver. He was the son of Orville Clayton & Bessie Eva (Perry) Shaver.
Thelma was very proud of her Irish heritage. She was a first-generation
American, as her parents were immigrants from Counties Donegal and Tyrone in
Ireland. She loved Irish music and was a member of the Irish-American Club in
Battle Creek. Thelma had traveled to Ireland many times, including trips with
her parents, husband, children and grandchildren. She maintained close ties
with her Irish relatives.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall.
A favorite retreat
for Thelma was traveling to Northern Michigan to spend time at the family
cabin.
Thelma is remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She had a tireless attitude and enjoyed working in her large yard, doing needle
work and baking. Thelma was very involved in the lives of her grandchildren and
proud of their accomplishments. She not only lovingly opened her home and cared
for her aunt from Ireland for nineteen years, but also provided support and
provided lodging to numerous Lithuanian immigrants and visitors. Her Irish wit,
willingness to help others and unbounded energy will be deeply missed.
Thelma was born on July 30, 1927 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan to Alfred and Jennie (Livingston) Hilliard. She grew up on the family farm and was a graduate of Springport High School. Growing up in the farm helped form her strong work ethic. Over the years she assisted with running the family business, Wayward Construction. She also worked in the Marshall Public Schools as an office staff member, and earlier was employed at Win Schuler's Restaurant. In the early 1980's, she worked for the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home as a receptionist. Over the last several years, she had served as a Foster Grandparent for Marshall Academy.
In April 1956, she married George Richard Wayward in Scottsville, Michigan. They enjoyed 53 wonderful years together until he preceded her in death on March 15, 2009. She found love again and in September 2012, she married Merlin Shaver of Marshall.
Thelma was very proud of her Irish heritage. She was a first-generation American, as her parents were immigrants from Counties Donegal and Tyrone in Ireland. She loved Irish music and was a member of the Irish-American Club in Battle Creek. Thelma had traveled to Ireland many times, including trips with her parents, husband, children and grandchildren. She maintained close ties with her Irish relatives.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall. A favorite retreat for Thelma was traveling to Northern Michigan to spend time at the family cabin.
Thelma is remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She had a tireless attitude and enjoyed working in her large yard, doing needle work and baking. Thelma was very involved in the lives of her grandchildren and proud of their accomplishments. She not only lovingly opened her home and cared for her aunt from Ireland for nineteen years, but also provided support and provided lodging to numerous Lithuanian immigrants and visitors. Her Irish wit, willingness to help others and unbounded energy will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her husband, Merlin Shaver; daughter, Maureen (Ray) Mickus of Marshall; son, Richard (Dorothy) Wayward of Irons, Michigan; grandchildren, Jenny Wayward, Andrew Mickus and Emily Mickus; step-children, Betty Sipe, Larry Shaver, Sandra Wood, Janis Holibaugh and Patricia Dunn.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Jennie Hilliard, a husband, George R. Wayward; sisters, Emily Pettibone, Evelyn Arquette and Mildred Schaberg; and a special nephew, Duane Richardson.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2 PM to 4 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM at the Craig K. Kempf Family Funeral Homes, Marshall Chapel. A Rosary will be held 7:45 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be held 11 M Thursday, September 4, 2014 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Reverend Fr. Craig Lusk officiating.
Interment will follow in Ft. Custer National Cemetery.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the St. Mary Catholic Church or Claude E. Hale V.F. W. Post #4073. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.
- See more at: http://www.kempffuneralhome.com/obituary/Thelma-Arlene-Wayward/Marshall-MI/1414397#sthash.RB3buz5W.dpuf
Thelma was born on July 30, 1927 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan to Alfred and Jennie (Livingston) Hilliard. She grew up on the family farm and was a graduate of Springport High School. Growing up in the farm helped form her strong work ethic. Over the years she assisted with running the family business, Wayward Construction. She also worked in the Marshall Public Schools as an office staff member, and earlier was employed at Win Schuler's Restaurant. In the early 1980's, she worked for the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home as a receptionist. Over the last several years, she had served as a Foster Grandparent for Marshall Academy.
In April 1956, she married George Richard Wayward in Scottsville, Michigan. They enjoyed 53 wonderful years together until he preceded her in death on March 15, 2009. She found love again and in September 2012, she married Merlin Shaver of Marshall.
Thelma was very proud of her Irish heritage. She was a first-generation American, as her parents were immigrants from Counties Donegal and Tyrone in Ireland. She loved Irish music and was a member of the Irish-American Club in Battle Creek. Thelma had traveled to Ireland many times, including trips with her parents, husband, children and grandchildren. She maintained close ties with her Irish relatives.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall. A favorite retreat for Thelma was traveling to Northern Michigan to spend time at the family cabin.
Thelma is remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She had a tireless attitude and enjoyed working in her large yard, doing needle work and baking. Thelma was very involved in the lives of her grandchildren and proud of their accomplishments. She not only lovingly opened her home and cared for her aunt from Ireland for nineteen years, but also provided support and provided lodging to numerous Lithuanian immigrants and visitors. Her Irish wit, willingness to help others and unbounded energy will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her husband, Merlin Shaver; daughter, Maureen (Ray) Mickus of Marshall; son, Richard (Dorothy) Wayward of Irons, Michigan; grandchildren, Jenny Wayward, Andrew Mickus and Emily Mickus; step-children, Betty Sipe, Larry Shaver, Sandra Wood, Janis Holibaugh and Patricia Dunn.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Jennie Hilliard, a husband, George R. Wayward; sisters, Emily Pettibone, Evelyn Arquette and Mildred Schaberg; and a special nephew, Duane Richardson.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2 PM to 4 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM at the Craig K. Kempf Family Funeral Homes, Marshall Chapel. A Rosary will be held 7:45 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be held 11 M Thursday, September 4, 2014 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Reverend Fr. Craig Lusk officiating.
Interment will follow in Ft. Custer National Cemetery.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the St. Mary Catholic Church or Claude E. Hale V.F. W. Post #4073. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.
- See more at: http://www.kempffuneralhome.com/obituary/Thelma-Arlene-Wayward/Marshall-MI/1414397#sthash.RB3buz5W.dpuf
Thelma passed away on Saturday morning, August 30, 2014 (age 87) at her home. A funeral mass was held Thursday, September 4, 2014 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Recvered Fr. Craig Lusk officiating. Interment followed at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.
Together, Thelma & George had two known children:
Maureen (Wayward) Mickus [living]
Richard Wayward [living]
*Note: Specific birth dates are not listed for living persons for the privacy of these individuals.