Jean Wilma (Mennega) Gill

Jean Wilma Gill, age 73 of Plainwell, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday morning, April 22, 2023.  She was born on October 20, 1949 in Allegan to the late Edward and Wilhelmina Mennega.  She graduated from Allegan High School in 1967 and graduated from Western Michigan University with a teaching degree, specializing in Elementary Education.  She eventually 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 raised them together in Plainwell.

She had a wonderful 30 plus years teaching career 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.  She was deeply proud of her children and grandchildren, as they were the true loves of her life.  She loved life and woke up happy every single day.  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 and we all felt that.  We will miss her deeply.  We will love her and cherish her memory for the rest of our lives. 

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 beloved 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.

Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel will have an open visitation on Monday, May 1, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Funeral Service will be the following day Tuesday, May 2, starting at 12:00pm, with an hour visitation beforehand. Internment will take place after the service to Hudson Corners Cemetery.

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