Mabel Elizabeth Hill, 88, of Park Lane, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 1999, in the Lakeland Medical Center-Niles.
She was born on May 25, 1910, in Bourbon, Ind., to Harry Ellis and Ella (Luty) Hillis, and had lived here since 1946, coming from Adrian, Mich.
Mrs. Hill was a public school teacher, beginning her career in Indiana, and at the former Sumnerville School in Cass County. She taught for many years in the Niles Community Schools at Northside School before retiring in 1975. One of her classes planted a magnolia tree in the school's front yard which brings memories to many as they pass by.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, a graduate of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and was a member of the Michigan Education Association. Mrs. Hill was an avid bridge player, enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading the classics, and working in her flower garden.
On Dec. 1, 1933, at Geneva, Ill., she was married to C. Richard ''Dick'' Hill, who survives. She is also survived by her children, Barbara (Charles) Miltenberger of Niles, Nancy (James) King of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Cynthia Jensen of Indianapolis, Ind.; and by six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, John Richard Hill, who died at 5 years of age; and by a sister, Dorothy Schroeter.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 14, in the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, with the Rev. D. Ronald H. Wakeman officiating. Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home.
Contributions in memory of Mrs. Hill may be made to encourage reading at Northside School or to the Niles Community Library.