Mrs. Jean Thompson Hillman

Jean Hillman left her wheelchair behind and is walking the Streets of Gold with Jesus. She passed away on July 16, 2011 at the age of 76. Jean was born Lavenia Jean Thompson on May 15, 1935 to Clifford and Harriet Thompson in Poulan, Georgia. She grew up in Poulan and graduated from Sylvester High School. She married Osman Ostrander in 1953 and moved to Michigan. There they had four children, Marcia, Paul, Wayne, and Mark. Over the years she held several executive secretary positions. She worked for the U.S. Marine Corps Depot of Supplies, an advertising agency, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and for Ferris State College. Her crowning accomplishment was helping develop and run a conference center for the Ferris State School of Business. In 1975 she married Gerald Hillman and they started a new career of traveling. Her husband was a tour guide for a company in McAllen, TX and Jean sold the tours and helped coordinate and keep things running smoothly during the tours. They saw the world including China, Canada, Great Britain, Europe, Egypt, Costa Rica, Panama, the Amazon basin, and made innumerable trips to locations in Mexico. Jean and Gerry moved from McAllen to San Angelo in 1999 to be nearer her children. After Gerry died in 2007 Jean moved to Emeritus Myrtlewood Estates and enjoyed her apartment and the staff there. Jean developed an extraordinary talent for cross-stitch. People who framed her pieces were always amazed that the backs looked as beautiful as the fronts. She was also a wonderful hostess and loved to cook and entertain. Jean is preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters, two brothers, her husband, Gerry Hillman, step son Larry Hillman, step daughter, Betty Ure,. She is survived by her daughter Marcia Ostrander of San Angelo, sons Paul Ostrander (Nellie) of San Angelo, Wayne Ostrander (Marsha) of Haslet, TX, and Mark Ostrander of San Angelo. She also has step sons Gerald Graves of Toronto, Canada, Paul Hillman (Carol) of Grand Rapids, MI, Richard Hillman of Big Rapids, MI and step daughter-in-law Sandy Hillman of Lancaster, PA. She is also survived by grandchildren Jason (Cristal) Ostrander, Sara Ostrander, Pamela Ostrander, Gregory Ostrander, Anne Hillman, Rene Hillman, Eve Hillman, Robert (Lyuda) Hillman, Cindy (Neil) Keeley, Krista Shaw, Karolyn Ure, Karen Lyons as well as great grandchildren Ryan Ostrander, Carly Ostrander, Jake Hillman, and Daniel Keeley. She is also survived by numerous grand dogs – each of whom she loved dearly. Special thanks are extended to Pat Sifuentez who helped care for Gerry and Jean for many years. The family also thanks Dr. Raymund Untalan and Dr. Rebecca Crenshaw for their years of compassion and skill in treating Jean. The family also thanks Tori at Regency House and Christina from Vistacare for their compassion during Jean’s last days. Jean will have a graveside service at the Thompson family plot in Poulan, Georgia on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Local arrangements are by Johnson’s Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign an on line guest book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com

Mrs. Jean Thompson Hillman

July 16, 2011 - May 15, 1935