Longtime Martin Elementary teacher Jean Wilma Gill died Saturday morning, April 22, at her home in Plainwell. She was 73.
She was born Oct. 20, 1949, in Allegan to the late Edward and Wilhelmina Mennega. She graduated from Allegan High School in 1967 from Western Michigan University with a teaching degree, specializing in elementary education. She went on to get her master’s degree from Western Michigan University.
At the age of 21, she married Ken Liles and they had two children together, Casey and Jaimie. Jean later married John Gill and he adopted Jaimie and Casey and they raised them together in Plainwell.
She taught for 30 plus years with Martin Public Schools. During her retirement years, she enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, Ella and Lawson Gill, as well as spending almost every day with her twin sister, Joann.
Jean was a breast cancer survivor and in true Jean fashion, faced it with positivity and bravery. She loved all of her siblings and nieces and nephews dearly. Family was always most important to her.
Jean is survived by her children, Jaimie and Casey (Brooke) Gill; her grandchildren, Ella and Lawson Gill; her twin sister, Joann (Grant) Coble; nephews, Justin and Adam (Kendi) Coble; great nephew and niece, Greyson and Ava Coble; siblings, Margaret Chartrand, Beatrice (Jim) Smigeilski, Raymond (Suzanne) Mennega, Helen (Larry) Palmer; and many other nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Edward and Wilhelmina Mennega; and her brother, Edward Mennega.
Memorial donations may be made in Jean’s name to Bronson Breast Cancer Center c/o Bronson Health Foundation, 301 John Street, Box C, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
Visitation and Service details will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.
