1932
Charles
2018
Charles F. "Charlie" Hillabrant
December 9, 1932 — October 17, 2018
Charles F. "Charlie" Hillabrant, 83, of Marshall, died at his home on Wednesday night, October 17, 2018 after a lengthy illness.
Charlie was born in Marshall in the family home on W. Prospect Street on December 9, 1934 to Willis H. and He len L. (Hall) Hillabrant. When he was ready for grade school, Charlie attended the former Sherman School across the street from home. He was a member of the 1952 Marshall High School graduating class.
After graduation he pursued his college education for 2 years until entering his country's service in the U.S. Army in 1954. A year and one half of his enlistment was spent in Germany serving in an Artillery Section. He served until his honorable discharge in 1956.
Charlie returned home to Marshall and went back to college, finishing his 4 years of college education at Western Michigan University. He was a lifelong resident of Marshall.
As a youngster and later in life, Charlie worked at the family's grocery store near the corner of W. Michigan Avenue and Eagle Street. He was working there when it was closed. He had also worked at Post Cereals in Battle Creek.
He met and fell in love with Naomi "Sally" Green. The couple married on September 22, 1965 in Angola, Indiana. They made their home in Marshall throughout their married life.
Charlie went to work at Townsend Furniture located on W. Michigan Avenue at Dobbins Street. In 1974 Charlie and Sally purchased the store and renamed it Hillabrant's Furniture. They were always a familiar and welcome sight at the store together (along with a line of much loved pet dogs) where they furnished the community with quality home goods delivered with honesty and personality until their retirement in 1997. At the time of his retirement there had been a Hillabrant family business on Michigan Avenue in Marshall since the mid 1800's. There was also a harness shop that his Great-Grandfather Hillabrant owned and operated located at the alley and S. Eagle Street where part of Winston's Pub is now.
He was a former member of the Marshall Optimist Club. But Charlie's passion in life were his many beloved dogs that he (and Sally) raised and cared for. There was always a dog or more in the store in Charlie and Sally's office that their many customers and friends enjoyed when they came in! On his last day, his much loved beagle Chum was with him at home.
Charlie is survived by his sister Harriet (Del) Mathews of Leroy, and his brothers Robert W. Hillabrant of Iron River and Joel T. (Jill) Hillabrant of Coto De Caza, CA; his nieces Barbara (Rob) Sibary and Rev. Sarah Hillabrant; and his nephews Rev. Eric Hillabrant, Dan Mathews and Bob Mathews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Naomi "Sally" Hillabrant on July 17, 2009.
Friends may call at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US HWY 27 N. on Saturday, October 27 from 11AM until 1PM.
Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf's on Saturday, October 27, at 1PM with Rev. Sarah Hillabrant and Rev. Eric Hillabrant officiating. Interment will be next to Sally at Oakridge Cemetery.
A reception with coffee, tea and cookies will be held at the Reception Hall at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf's immediately following the committal service.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Oaklawn Hospice at www.oaklawnhospital.org/services/hospice or by leaving a contribution at the funeral home.
To leave the family a message and sign the on line guest book visit www.kempffuneralhome.com.
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Charlie was born in Marshall in the family home on W. Prospect Street on December 9, 1934 to Willis H. and He len L. (Hall) Hillabrant. When he was ready for grade school, Charlie attended the former Sherman School across the street from home. He was a member of the 1952 Marshall High School graduating class.
After graduation he pursued his college education for 2 years until entering his country's service in the U.S. Army in 1954. A year and one half of his enlistment was spent in Germany serving in an Artillery Section. He served until his honorable discharge in 1956.
Charlie returned home to Marshall and went back to college, finishing his 4 years of college education at Western Michigan University. He was a lifelong resident of Marshall.
As a youngster and later in life, Charlie worked at the family's grocery store near the corner of W. Michigan Avenue and Eagle Street. He was working there when it was closed. He had also worked at Post Cereals in Battle Creek.
He met and fell in love with Naomi "Sally" Green. The couple married on September 22, 1965 in Angola, Indiana. They made their home in Marshall throughout their married life.
Charlie went to work at Townsend Furniture located on W. Michigan Avenue at Dobbins Street. In 1974 Charlie and Sally purchased the store and renamed it Hillabrant's Furniture. They were always a familiar and welcome sight at the store together (along with a line of much loved pet dogs) where they furnished the community with quality home goods delivered with honesty and personality until their retirement in 1997. At the time of his retirement there had been a Hillabrant family business on Michigan Avenue in Marshall since the mid 1800's. There was also a harness shop that his Great-Grandfather Hillabrant owned and operated located at the alley and S. Eagle Street where part of Winston's Pub is now.
He was a former member of the Marshall Optimist Club. But Charlie's passion in life were his many beloved dogs that he (and Sally) raised and cared for. There was always a dog or more in the store in Charlie and Sally's office that their many customers and friends enjoyed when they came in! On his last day, his much loved beagle Chum was with him at home.
Charlie is survived by his sister Harriet (Del) Mathews of Leroy, and his brothers Robert W. Hillabrant of Iron River and Joel T. (Jill) Hillabrant of Coto De Caza, CA; his nieces Barbara (Rob) Sibary and Rev. Sarah Hillabrant; and his nephews Rev. Eric Hillabrant, Dan Mathews and Bob Mathews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Naomi "Sally" Hillabrant on July 17, 2009.
Friends may call at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US HWY 27 N. on Saturday, October 27 from 11AM until 1PM.
Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf's on Saturday, October 27, at 1PM with Rev. Sarah Hillabrant and Rev. Eric Hillabrant officiating. Interment will be next to Sally at Oakridge Cemetery.
A reception with coffee, tea and cookies will be held at the Reception Hall at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf's immediately following the committal service.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Oaklawn Hospice at www.oaklawnhospital.org/services/hospice or by leaving a contribution at the funeral home.
To leave the family a message and sign the on line guest book visit www.kempffuneralhome.com.
Visitation
OCT 27. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Service
OCT 27. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles F. "Charlie" Hillabrant, please visit our flower store.
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