Jill McLean Stover, age 81, passed away peacefully at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, surrounded by family at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Milford.
She was born in Hillsdale, MI on July 6, 1934. Jill graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1952 and married her husband of 60 years, Bob Stover, at the end of their junior year in Hillsdale College. She graduated cum laude from Hillsdale College in 1956. Jill taught high school English for a year after college and then focused on raising her family. Jill and Bob have three daughters: Julie Stover, Kalamazoo, Mich; Laura (Eric) Basset, Los Angeles, Calif.; and Sallie (Tim) Hanson, New Carlisle; and grandchildren: Isabelle and Robert Hanson; and Luc Basset. Jill has a surviving sister: Marcia Van Deusen, Hillsdale, Mich.She was preceded in death by her mother: Inez Baker McLean; and father: Alan McLean.
Jill was a loving, caring mother and devoted many years to raising and nurturing her daughters. She also had a passion for the arts and theatre and was very active for many years in the Nappanee Civic Theatre. Jill did her graduate studies in English Literature at the University of Notre Dame and while there took classes in theatre at St. Mary’s College. Jill and Bob purchased the enchanted Hills Playhouse in Syracuse, and Jill ran the operation for nine years, producing primarily musicals. She then opened the Plain and Fancy productions at Amish Acres in Nappanee and went on to form her own theatre company called, Playhouse Productions and produced Dinner Mystery Theatre performances for eleven more years before retiring.
Jill was a very creative and loving person and enjoyed her family and many friends. She was a wonderful woman who marched to the beat of her own drummer. Her wisdom, quick wit and knowledge of most all Jeopardy questions were all amazing traits. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially her daughters who benefited from her integrity and positive outlook on life.
A special thanks goes out to the nurses, aides, and staff at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for the great care and support provided to Jill and family during her stay there.
Family and friends may call from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at Thompson-Lengacher and Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee. Funeral services will begin at 6. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Bankers Cemetery, Hillsdale, Mich.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.