Ethel Nadine Hillsman

Ethel Nadine Hillsman, age 90, the daughter of Charles Lewis and Stella Mae (Greer) Cranfield was born Feb. 12, 1916, in Beaman, Mo., and passed from this life on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kan.

Ethel attended elementary school in Taberville as well as her freshman and sophomore years, then her junior year in El Dorado Springs before completing her senior year at Schell City High School. After graduation she was united in marriage to Clarence George Hillsman and to their union five children were born. The family lived for a time in the Schell City area then relocated to the Fort Scott area where Ethel and the children lived while Clarence was in the military. After Clarence returned from the service the family lived for a time in the Rockville and Appleton City areas before Ethel, along with her children moved back to Fort Scott in 1954. She was employed as a laundry attendant until her retirement.

Her hobbies included gardening and flowers and she took great pride in her rose garden. She was a tireless member and worker in the Parkway Church of God Holiness and volunteered countless hours as a playground supervisor for Fort Scott Christian Heights. Her belief in God, her church involvement, and her volunteerism were all integral parts of her life.

Survivors include two sons, Hubert Dale Hillsman of Meridian, Miss., and Clarence David Hillsman of St. Joseph, Mo.; three daughters, Sally Lou Dyer of Independence, Kan., Charlene Mae Stoaks of Vale, Ore., and Florence Jacqueline Peck of Sedalia, Mo.; one sister, Neola Maxine Smith of Cerritos, Calif.; 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Parkway Church of God Holiness in Fort Scott, Kan., with pastor Mark D. Stetler and pastor Raymond Mauch officiating. Musical selections were provided by Terry and Gwen Chance and Kathryn Stetler. Pallbearers were Dave Hillsman, Victor Arnold, Wayne Peck, Virgil Peck, Darryl Peck and Steve Peck. Honorary pallbearers were Jonathon Lorvery, Charles Jewsberry, Ron Wollenhaupt and Joshua Wollenhaupt. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City, Mo.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Fort Scott Christian Heights. Arrangements were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City.