Mr. Leland “Ernie” Hill, age 69, of Cedar Springs, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2009. He was one of 16 children who grew up on a farm in Fulton, Kansas. Needless to say, Ernie knew that there was always work to be done. At the age of 17, his mother signed so he could enlist in the U.S. Marine Corp. After that, he worked in the oil fields. Then he came to Michigan where he met Dorothy at a dance. After courtship and falling in love, they were married on October 5, 1962. In 1966, his father-in-law, Enoch Clayton and Ernie opened the Algoma Foundry (just west of Cedar Springs). For about 25 years, they operated the foundry. Together, Ernie and Dorothy liked to ice fish in their “fishing condo.” As the children were growing up, they have many great memories of their vacations in different parts of the country. The best one included Ernie, Dorothy, their children and grandchildren; they went to Disney World in a motor home. Family was very important him, and he and Dorothy were blessed to have 47 years of marriage together. He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy; children, Mike and Eileen Hill of Cedar Springs, Cindy Aley of Cedar Springs; grandchildren,  Zachary Aley, Cassandra Aley; brothers and sister, Jack (Alice Ann) Hill, Wayne (Marge) Hill, Howard Robert (Pat) Hill, David Hill, Katheryn (Jim) Cochran, Danny Hill, Dwight Hill; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Robert Hill, Edison Hill, Lawrence Hill, Kenneth Goff, Donald Goff, Russell Hill, Basil Hill, and Joan Ann Wheeler. The Memorial Service for Ernie will be Saturday, December 26, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home with Pastor Bruce Wilson officiating. Military honors will be under the auspices of the U.S. Marine Corp. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Fred & Lena Meijer Heart Health Center, c/o Blodgett & Butterworth Health Care Foundation, 100 Michigan, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Arrangements by The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com