Geraldine Hiles

Geraldine Jerry Hiles was a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life devoted to teaching, to helping, and to caring. She was an intelligent, vibrant woman, as beautiful as she was brilliant, and a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Jerry was a woman who taught us all so much. Today her lessons, and her love, live on in all who knew her. Jerrys story began on a cold fall day in 1925, on All Saints Day in the tiny town of Tipler, Wisconsin, near the border to Michigans Upper Peninsula. Those were good days in this country, times of peace and prosperity, during the heyday of the Roaring 20s, and the peak of the Prohibition era. On November 1, 1925, Archie and Genevieve (Statler) Shannon had one more treat after Halloween, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Geraldine Rae. Geraldine, or Jerry, as she would forever be called, was joined by her sisters Eileen and Beverly and her brother Richard in the familys Tipler home. She was very proud of her family heritage growing up, as her fathers side was Irish, while her mothers family was originally from Denmark. Jerry attended the tiny little elementary school in Tipler, before heading off to Florence High School in the town right next door. She was a very bright young girl, and a great student, with a naturally inquisitive mind and a love for learning. After she graduated, Jerry headed off to college, to study teaching. She always enjoyed school, and wanted to pass on her love for learning. Soon shed find another love, as well. One night in 1945, Jerry went to the local boxing match in Tipler, which was a popular thing to do in those days. There in the ring, stood a muscular, handsome fighter named Robert Hiles, and for Jerry, it was love at first sight. She met him after the match, and she quickly became his favorite knockout. The two began dating, fell in love, and were married on August 31, 1946, right there in Tipler, beginning a wonderful life together. The newlyweds soon relocated to Muskegon, Michigan, where Jerry would live the rest of her days, and where she would raise her family, too. Jerry and Robert were blessed with two beautiful children, their son Robert and their daughter Michelle, who made their mother so happy and proud. When her kids were old enough, Jerry went back to college, and earned her Masters degree in education from Western Michigan University. Degree in hand, Jerry began a long and wonderful career as an elementary school teacher in the Mona Shores School District, in nearby Norton Shores. There she would positively influence so many young minds, teaching kindergarten through third grade in a career spanning the next 30 years. With so much time off from teaching in the summertime, Jerry and her beloved family spent plenty of time back in her hometown of Tipler, where they had a beautiful cabin near the Pine River. She loved it there best of all, and Robert did, too, and it was a wonderful getaway for the whole family. They also had many close, lifelong friends there, as well as their extended family, too. The couple vacationed in many other places over the years, including Hawaii, Las Vegas, Acapulco, Mexico, and everywhere in between. They were also active, longtime members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Muskegon, too. Jerrys beloved husband Robert died in 1984, which was very hard on her. She persevered, buoyed by her family, friends and faith, and continued her regular trips back to Tipler, too. Then, in the winter of 2008, Jerrys sister Eileens husband became gravely ill back in Tipler, so she went back to lend her support. While she was there, Jerry unfortunately fell and broke her hip. Her brother-in-law died shortly afterward, and Jerrys health also took a turn for the worse. Sadly, Jerry died on Monday, February 25, 2008, at the age of 82. Jerry was a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of family, friendship, and fond memories. She devoted her life to teaching, to helping, and to caring for those around her, as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and a teacher and friend to so many. Today Jerrys lessons, and her love, live on in all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. Jerry is survived by 1 son, Robert G. Hiles of Muskegon; 1 daughter, Michelle (Robert) Berghuis of Schoolcraft, MI; 5 grandchildren, Rebecca (Mark) Kohler of Suttons Bay, Melissa Hiles of Leland, MI, Christopher Berghuis of Lansing, MI,Thomas Hiles of Muskegon & Alex Berghuis of Vail, CO; 1 great granddaughter, Marley Kohler; 2 sisters, Eileen Smith & Beverly Spencer both of Tipler, WI; 1 brother, Richard Shannon of Kohler, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Hiles in 1984 & a daughter-in-law, Constance Hiles in 2004. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel with Pastor Lewis H. Glick officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.