Obituary for Christopher Warren Hill

Christopher Warren Hill of Ionia, 65, passed away Friday, December 23, 2022, after complications from Raynaud’s disease and infections following surgery.

Christopher graduated from Portland High School in 1975, having done exceptionally well at cross country and track, particularly the high jump. He was proud to have been a member of the medical field for the majority of his life. Chris began his medical career as a corpsman in the United States Navy in 1978, serving 4 years active duty and 8 years in the reserves. During his naval service, he was attached to the Marine Corps, providing medical aid to personnel on ships, at home and at various overseas locales. Following active duty, Chris became certified in respiratory therapy. He worked for several months at Carson City Hospital in 1987, quickly finding the job he wanted at Ionia County Memorial Hospital. Chris worked as a respiratory therapist there for 21 years. The ease with which he connected with patients allowed Chris to excel in that position, and he genuinely loved his job. Chris helped countless people and related to them in a highly compassionate, friendly and personal manner. He consistently made his patients feel cared for, understood, and appreciated.

Chris was an avid fisherman and lover of the outdoors. Unfortunately, Raynaud’s disease, which affects circulation in the extremities, curtailed his ability to enjoy outdoor activities in cool weather. Pulmonary artery disease and Raynaud’s disease contributed to the loss of his legs below the knee in 2008-2009, which interrupted his regular fishing for several years. The family is tremendously grateful to Christopher’s friend Todd for getting him back out fishing over the last couple years. Chris especially loved fishing with family, counting his excursions with his wife Brenda; children Thomas, Ambrosia and Elizabeth; brother Stewart; cousin Ron and nephew Steve among his most treasured. Chris was exceptionally clever and quick-witted. As such, he was routinely referred to as a smart-aleck by his family and friends. He thoroughly enjoyed making people laugh, and possessed impeccable timing, cadence, and delivery when sharing jokes and stories. Chris loved dogs, gardening, and doing yard work with his wife Brenda. When he wasn’t outside, he enjoyed watching baseball, funny car drag racing, and golf.

Christopher was preceded in death by his father, Nelson and his brother, Stewart. He is survived by his wife, Brenda; his children, Thomas, Ambrosia and Elizabeth of Ionia; step-children, Shaun (Katie) of Belding, Keith (Bobbi) of Ionia, Shannon (Mike) of Greenville, Andrew (Ashley) of Belding; seventeen grandchildren; mother Ruth of Portland; siblings, Gregory (Judith) of Niles; Constance (John) of Clarksville; and numerous nieces & nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Chris be made to the Raynaud’s Association (https://www.raynauds.org/donate-now-other-donation-options/) or the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (https://phassociation.org/donate/).

A Memorial Service honoring Christopher will be celebrated by Rev. Dr. Marilyn V. Danielson at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2022 at the Lehman Funeral Home, 220 Rich Street, Ionia. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.