Name: Visitation for John D. Hilliard
Start: 2021-11-14T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-11-15T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home - Kalamazoo

Hilliard , John D. 9/20/1941 - 11/12/2021 Kalamazoo Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, John D. Hilliard died peacefully on November 12, 2021. John was born in Washington, DC on September 20, 1941, the son of Francis and Marjorie Hilliard. John grew up in Kalamazoo and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and Michigan State University. He received his degree from MSU in Marketing. He was drafted into the Army and received an honorable discharge in 1968. John spent the next 35 years away from Kalamazoo, in Arizona, Illinois, Michigan and Missouri, working in the health care services field and with non-profit organizations where he focused on community and professional involvement. He returned to Kalamazoo in 2002. John most recently was Chair of the Kalamazoo County Older Adult Services Advisory Council and President of the Milwood Neighborhood Watch Association. John is survived by his son Ryan. A visitation will be held at Joldersma and Klein Funeral Home in Kalamazoo on Sunday, November 14, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Rosary being said at 6:30 PM. A funeral Mass will be said at the St. Mary Catholic Church, 939 Charlotte Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49048, on Monday, November 15, beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, John suggested making a memorial donation to the Milwood Neighborhood Watch Assoc., PO Box 2354., Kalamazoo, MI 49003. His family also suggests the John Hilliard Endowment Fund. Friends and family may share a condolence message online at www.joldersma-klein.com.

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Published by Kalamazoo Gazette from Nov. 13 to Nov. 14, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for John Hilliard

Sponsored by The Family.

11 Entries

Paul W Schrier

March 23, 2023

Knew John from the Millview neighborhood back in Parkwood school days bike riding and playing pick up sports games. The whole Hilliard family were genuinely very nice people.

Larry Neil Bontrager

November 17, 2021

So sorry to hear of the passing of another KCHS classmate. Condolences to John's Famil;y.

lawrence groggel

November 16, 2021

I first met John at South Jr. High, played basketball with him there and later in life shared an apartment with him in Columbus, Ohio until he entered the healthcare field with Bud Norris at Upjohn. He was a quiet but loyal friend with a contagious laugh! Prayers for his family!

Kay Ted Nohava

November 16, 2021

After all these years I remember well attending Johns Birthday Party at his home on the corner of Millview and Outlook, we played "Pin the Tail on the Donkey", it was a lot of fun, all that attended were all the boys in John's Class from Parkwood School, we were 5 or 6 year olds at the time. I lost track of John after High School but I see he led a very Honorable and Productive Life, Bless you John and may you Rest in Peace.

Brian Craft

November 15, 2021

Ryan I am so Sorry for your loss, My thoughts and Prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.

Carolyn Hiestand

November 15, 2021

Ryan, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. He was a fine man who brought so much good into our community. May he rest in peace, and may Our Lord bring you comfort in your time of grief.

Bob Parker

November 15, 2021

My condolences on the loss of your father and my cousin John. I always looked forward to seeing the Hilliards at Wonder Lake during the summer. It was special when ever they would come down from Michigan. May the love of family and friends help get you thru this hard time. RIP John !

Barbara Parker

November 14, 2021

Ryan,
My deepest sympathy to you on the passing of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers Ryan. As my brother David said we will be making a donation to the John Hilliard Endowment Fund in memory of John. Hugs to you Ryan. May he RIP!!!

Tom Hickey

November 14, 2021

So sorry to hear about Johnny. I will always remember him from our fun times at Wonder Lake, exploring the woods and stone quarry, swimming in the mud bottom lake, playing with grandpas slot machine, rolling down the hills, shooting off fireworks, playing badminton in 3V´s bowl, and driving gramma Hickey crazy. Now you can do all these things in heaven.

Deacon Louis and Anne Zemlick

November 14, 2021

Ryan, you honored your father well and we will continue to lift you in prayer and are here for you.

While this community has lost a great man, heaven has gained another saint. John, we will miss you immensely and words cannot truly express our gratitude for you, and all you have done to make this world a better place! I will miss you. From the first warm hello, to your final wave farewell, I thank you for your friendship, inspiration, love. You made it seem so easy to take a chance and make a difference in this world. Your legacy will live on in all you have touched. Rest well Dear Friend.

Dave Parker

November 14, 2021

So sorry to hear of John´s passing. May he RIP! What a great cousin! We will be making a donation in John´s memory

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