Obituary for Emily Louise (Showerman) Hill

Emily Louise (nee Showerman) Hill left this earth for her eternal home and was welcomed by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, January 30, 2026, surrounded by family members in her childhood home on Market Street, Portland, Michigan.

Louise, as she was fondly called by her family and friends, was a woman of Christian faith and lived a full life on this earth for almost 88 years.  She was born February 18, 1938 in Lake Odessa, Michigan to Clarice (Schwab) and Robert Showerman.  Married in 1957, she and William J. Hill were blessed with 5 children, Charlene (Richard) Hans, Barbara (Ken) Kozachik, Douglas (Terri) Hill, Sharon (Chris) Longstreth, and Steven (Kelsey) Hill; grandchildren Jeremy (Darcy) Ingraham, Benjamin (Amber) Ingraham, Adam (Erin) Ingraham, Matthew (Christina) Ingraham, Bethany (Felix) Mack; Laura (Mike) Lovell, Michelle Kozachik, Andrea (DeShawn) Nelson; Jessica (Zak) Hakala, Jacob (Paige) Hill, Joshua (Lindsey) Hill, Jordan Hill; Samuel Longstreth, Emily (Jared) Kughn; Gabriel, Asher, Jai and Jace Hill;  26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-greatgrandchildren who survive her. She is also survived by brothers, Ralph Showerman (Kathie) and Paul A. Cline (Patty); sister, Joyce Showerman; sister-in-law, Laurita Showerman, as well as precious nieces and nephews.

She was greeted in heaven by her father, Robert Ernest Showerman; mother, Clarice (Schwab) Showerman Cline; step-father, Richard R. Cline, Sr.; brothers, John Showerman and Robert (Bobby) Showerman, and Husband, William J. Hill.

Louise was raised in a Christian home where music was a big part of their lives and church family.  Being a musical family, Louise and her siblings were given piano lessons and were involved in choir as well as youth group while growing up and they helped to support the family by cleaning houses, weeding gardens and other odd jobs.  After several moves, the Showerman family settled in the home on Market Street in Portland.  Louise graduated from Portland High School and went to Ferris Institute in Big Rapids, Michigan working towards a degree in education.  While at Ferris, she worked in the campus cafeteria in the kitchen area where she met William J. Hill and they were married October 26, 1957, in Portland.  They lived in the communities of Portland, Morley, Lakeview, Battle Creek and Garden City, Michigan before returning to Portland in 1972.  Louise did some in-home daycare for a number of families and gave piano lessons. She and Bill were active members in churches they attended being involved with singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and other various committees.  She was an integral part of the choir program wherever she attended church; leading 3rd grade through adult choirs.  She was a member of Portland Civic Players, appearing on stage, directing the singers for a number of musical productions, and serving as treasurer for the board.

She worked for several years in her own business called Louise's Printing within the business of Fran'll Do It!   A new job opened up in 1998 as the church secretary of Portland United Methodist Church, where she had been a member since 1972, and remained in this position for 19-1/2 years; retiring in February 2017.  She continued as the adult choir director until 2020.  She was a dedicated wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend who took pleasure in having a house full of family.  She was also an avid Detroit Tigers baseball fan and follower of Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family.

Over the years she took her love for the Lord and her desire to be of service to others and wove them together with her affection for quilting where she found much significance and happiness.  Her love and faithfulness as well as quiet witness was stitched into each work of art.  She donated many of her quilt table toppers and runners to the church craft sales.  She started a tradition of making quilts for family members for their graduations, weddings and births and they have become an incredible heirloom and masterpiece. Her hands— loving, important, recognizable hands—made artistic handiwork for generations to enjoy and one way to remember her.  She leaves behind a legacy of love and faithfulness to those who knew her.

Louise’s relationship with Jesus Christ, which she tried to nurture each and every day, was most important by living a Christian example in all her relationships. She looked forward to being with her Lord and Savior in heaven, reuniting with her loved ones gone before, and the glorious day it would be singing together in the heavenly choir!  She knew this earthly home was not her eternal home and surrendered her grip on this life to be with her King.  She will welcome her family to heaven when they each arrive on their appointed day. 

Her family will receive friends Tuesday, February 3, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 PM at Lehman Funeral Home, 210 East Bridge Street, Portland.  Please join us in celebrating her life at Portland United Methodist Church on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 12:00 noon, officiated by Pastor Lenora Combs-Whitecotton, with visitation from 11:00-11:45AM prior to the service.  Ice Cream Social in the Fellowship Hall at church following the service with Interment at Danby Township Cemetery. 

The family would like to thank Dylan McKay. D.O. of Sparrow Medical Group, Portland and the Lansing Area Hospice for their care and compassion “in making mom feel like she was the most important person in the world”.  Those wishing may make memorial contributions to Portland United Methodist Church or the family in honor of Louise. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.