{"id":41968,"date":"2014-08-14T20:42:16","date_gmt":"2014-08-15T00:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miserybay.usanethosting.com\/wordpress\/?p=41968"},"modified":"2014-08-14T20:42:16","modified_gmt":"2014-08-15T00:42:16","slug":"obituaries-274","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/obituaries-274\/","title":{"rendered":"Obituaries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winnie Gill, Kevin S. Hornbeck, William \u201cBill\u201d B. Swears, Francis C. Jilka
\nWinnie Gill<\/strong>
\nWinnie Gill died at home on August 10, 2014. Winnie was 95 years old, born June 2, 1919 in Kalamo MI. She was the daughter of Floyd and Lola (Burkett) Wing. She was a long time member of the Pilgrim United Methodist Church in St. Johns. Winnie was married to Robert A. Gill in Angola IN on January 17, 1939 and he preceded her in death on October 6, 2002.
\nSurviving is her daughter Dee (Allan) Perrins of Fremont, CA, and sons Dean (Gayla) of St. Johns and Gary (Lee) of Madison, WI, eight grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, her parents and two sisters, Bernice Mead and Gaila Stewart preceded her in death.
\nWinnie lived much of her life in the St. Johns area, and considered St. Johns home. Early in her childhood her family lived for a brief time in Yucaipa CA, but for most of her childhood and early teen age years she lived in Lansing moving to St. Johns in her Junior year of High School. In her later adult years she lived for a time in Atlanta, GA and Naples, FL returning 28 years ago to the St. Johns area.
\nFuneral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2014 at the Osgood Funeral Home with Pastor Andy Croel of the Pilgrim United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be at the Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns. The Family will receive friends at the funeral home 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday. Memorials may be made to Pilgrim United Methodist Church Caravan Children\u2019s Ministry, 2965 W. Parks Rd., St. Johns, MI 48879 or the Forgotten Man Jail Ministry, 3940 Fruit Ridge Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49544.
\nThe family was served by Osgood Funeral Homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Kevin S. Hornbeck<\/strong>
\nKevin S. Hornbeck, 55 of Lansing, MI died on Saturday, August 9, 2014 as a result of an auto\/motorcycle accident. Kevin was born on November 7, 1958 in Owosso, MI the son of Harold S. and Marilynn J. (Wilkins) Hornbeck. He graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School in 1976 and attended the New Tribes Missions School in Jackson, MI. He was a self employed contractor. Kevin was a lifetime member of the N.R.A., an avid deer hunter, enjoyed gardening, sports, ATV\u2019s, outdoor recreation, dancing and music.
\nHe is survived by his fianc\u00e9e, Rene\u00e9 James Schafer of Holt, son Joel Hornbeck of Lansing, daughter, Brittany (Keeton) Laidlaw of Holt; grandchildren, Ender and Vea Snow Laidlaw; sister, Valerie (Rob) Nethaway of Ovid, brothers, Darryl (Teri) Hornbeck of Alaska, Dwayne (Marilyn) Hornbeck of Ovid, Ralph Hornbeck of Holt and Tim (Luann) Hornbeck of Florida. Father, Harold (Kay) Hornbeck of Holt, MI. Kevin was preceded in death by his mother, Marilynn, sister, Debra Hornbeck, nephews Jerry Nethaway and Weston Hornbeck and sister-in-law, Melody Schubeck.
\nFuneral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home<\/a>, St. Johns on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Randy Morgan officiating. Burial will follow at Fairfield Cemetery, Elsie, MI. The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Memorial contributions may be directed to his family for the education of his grandchildren.<\/p>\n

\n

William \u201cBill\u201d B. Swears<\/strong>
\nWilliam \u201cBill\u201d B. Swears, age 77, passed away on August 10, 2014. He was born on September 21, 1936 in Morley, Michigan, the son of Clifford and Edna (Waters) Swears. He married Beth Schrauben in Belding, Michigan on June 23, 1977 and she survives him.
\nAlso surviving are their children, Jeffrey (Deb) Swears of Midland, MI; and Dana Swears of Sacramento, CA; 3 grandchildren, Jordan (Sarah) Swears, Greg (Jamie) Swears, Kate (Eric) Winer; and 1 great granddaughter, Brooklyn Swears. Other survivors include his sister-in-law, Susan Christopher; nephew, Zachary Swears; and in-laws, Dennis (Gayla) Phillips, Brian Phillips and Gregg Smyth, and Steve Phillips. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother, James Swears and first wife Sandra Casselberry.
\nBill taught and coached at St. Johns High School beginning in 1958. He was the Principal of St. Johns High School for 17 years until he retired in 1994 and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He graduated from Big Rapids High School and Ferris Institute (now FSU) with a B.S. in Business Education. He earned his Masters of Education at MSU. He was an avid golfer at the Emerald and he will be missed by his Monday morning golfing buddies.
\nA Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 18, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Williams presiding. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a Vigil Service being prayed at 7 p.m. at Osgood Funeral Home<\/a>, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, MI 48879. Contributions may be made in Bill\u2019s name to St. Joseph Educational Trust Fund, St. Johns Schools Foundation of Excellence, or Sparrow Clinton Hospice.
\nTo learn more about Bill and view his Life Story film, please visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com\/memories\/101340<\/a> . The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.<\/p>\n

\n

Francis C. Jilka<\/strong>
\nFrank Jilka died peacefully in Sebastopol, CA on August 8, 2014 at the age of 90. He was born Francis Clement Jilka on January 29, 1924, in Salina, Kansas. He was the oldest of five children born to Jerry and Agnes Jilka. He started using the name \u201cFrank\u201d as a young adult. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salina, Kansas in 1941. From 1941 to 1946 he served in the U. S. Naval Reserve and attained the rank of Lieutenant (JG). He graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1948, and earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan in 1951.
\nFrank directed the instrumental music program for St. Johns, Michigan from 1952 until 1962. In 1962 Frank and his family moved to Concord, California, where he taught band for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District from 1963 until his retirement in 1994. In 1995 Frank moved to Sebastopol, California to be closer to his family. He was a volunteer teacher in the Analy High School music program from 1995 until 2007. Frank conducted the Brass Choir at the Sebastopol Community Church from 2003 until 2010.
\nHe was named Young Man of the Year in 1959 by the St. Johns, Michigan Junior Chamber of Commerce. In May of 1999, he received the West Sonoma County Union High School District award for Volunteer of the Year.
\n Frank founded the Sebastopol Community Band in the year 2000. He conducted the band until several years ago. He continued to play trombone and baritone in the band until shortly before his death. He played in a Dixieland group, \u201cFrank and Steins\u201d at his 90th birthday party earlier this year.
\nHe was married to Daisy Giron Jilka (deceased) from 1945 until 1975, and Alice Nolte from 1977 to 1984.
\nFrank is survived by his children Greg Jilka of Sebastopol, California, Steve (Lynn) Jilka of San Diego, California, Suzanne (Mark) Albin of Sebastopol, Mary (Rick) Moore of Escondido. and daughter-in-law Debbie (Paul) Taggart of Cotati. He is also survived by his brother Eugene Jilka of Roeland Park, Kansas and his sister, Sister Margaret Jilka of Concordia, Kansas, and many nephews, nieces and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Jilka, his brother John Jilka and his sister, Ruth (Jilka) Johnson. He also leaves 8 grandchildren: Aaron (Gail) Jilka of San Diego, Miranda Jilka of San Francisco, Celeste Albin of Santa Rosa, CA, Russell Albin (Genevieve Stiles) of Austin, Texas, Nick Jilka of Cupertino, CA, Daniel Jilka of San Diego, Kevin Moore of San Marcos, CA and Clayton Moore of Escondido, CA. Frank also is survived by 4 great-grandchildren: Brandon, Andrew and Sarah Jilka, and Amanda Simon.
\nA Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 25 at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian\u2019s Catholic Church, 7983 Covert Lane, Sebastopol, California. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Community Church of Sebastopol, 1000 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, California, on September 20 at 11 am. All of Frank\u2019s students and colleagues in music are requested to bring their band instruments to this memorial service and play one last time for Frank. Email gjilka@sonic.net<\/a> for sheet music and further details.
\nFrank Jilka\u2019s family would like to thank the staff of Live Oak Rest Home for their compassionate care of Frank during his final months. The family would also like to thank Memorial Hospice for helping Frank during the final weeks of his journey.<\/p>\n

\n

.
\n\"obitsth.jpg\"
\nFor obituaries published before January, 2009 please click here<\/a>.
\nAt the bottom of that page you will find an index to obituaries dating back to July, 1989.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Winnie Gill, Kevin S. Hornbeck, William \u201cBill\u201d B. Swears, Francis C. Jilka<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-obits"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41968"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41968\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41968"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}