Ellen Myrtle Hilts

TRAVERSE CITY - Ellen Myrtle (Gordes) Hilts, 89, of Traverse City died Thursday morning, October 20, 2016 at Grand Traverse Pavilions. Born June 29, 1927 she was the daughter of August B. and Mary D. (Blair) Gordes. She married Sherman Conroy in 1942, Melvin Bonebrake in 1960 and Lee Hilts in 1989 all of whom preceded her in death. Retired from her nursing dream at Munson Medical Center, Mrs. Hilts enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Always busy, she did a lot of traveling, camping, hunting, cooking, sewing, and foster parenting. She always advised “don’t should upon yourself.” Mrs. Hilts enjoyed the fellowship of the Journey Church of Traverse City, and special friendships of Eileen and Bruce Purkiss and Yvonne Thayer. She was a long time Sunday school teacher and senior program advocate. She would often say, “God has been good to me, I’ve had a good life.” Surviving are daughters: Shirley (Paul) Powell of Las Vegas NV; Sandra (Leo) Miller of Cedar, and Jill (Michael) Peoples of Thompsonville; Stepchildren: Helen Timerman of Thompsonville, Ron (Clara) Bonebrake of Fife Lake, John (Pam) Hamstra of Williamsburg, Iva (Milton) Lewis of Grawn, brother William (Carol) Gordes of Salem MO and brother-in-law John Conroy of Kingsley. 17 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren also survive Mrs. Hilts, as well as several nieces and nephews. She also was preceded in death by son, Steve Conroy, her parents, and siblings: August Blair (Anne) Gordes, Patricia (Jay) Spaulding, Joseph (Algia) Gordes, Geri Gordes, Jacquelyn Gordes and Betty Jean (Al) Bolton; and in-laws: Frances and Wess Conroy, Judy (LD) Baker, Jessie (Jack) Martin, Helen and Beulah Conroy, Ardrey and Gertrude Bonebrake, George (Margie) Bonebrake, Raymond “Pete” (Irene) Bonebrake, Lou Bonebrake, Ethel (Gene) Rowe. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, October 24, at 11 a.m. at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City with visitation held one hour prior to the service. Memorial gifts by be directed to the Salvation Army, Journey Church or Grand Traverse Pavilions. Please share your thoughts and memories with Ellen’s family by way of her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Ellen Myrtle Hilts

June 29, 1927 - October 20, 2016