Donald Hillman

East Lansing

(1/10/1929-6/10/2017) was the son of Louis and Anna (Baker) Hillman from Deckerville, Michigan. He married Mary Richardson July 7, 1951. Together they had seven children: Dr. Donald (Helen) Hillman, Louis Hillman, Richard (Teresa) Hillman, Mary Lou (Keith) Schwaner, Christine (Paul) Lacroix, Ann (Jeff) Leipprandt and Lisa (Tom) Rolka. They also had 19 grandchildren: Dr. Katherine (Kyle) Urek, Dr. Robert Hillman, Patrick Hillman, Rita Hillman, Elizabeth Hillman, Ian Schwaner, Bradley Schwaner, Daniel Schwaner, Samuel Schwaner, Nathan Lacroix, Steven Lacroix, Kimberly Flood, Christopher Flood, Andrew Flood, Scott (Marcie) Flood, Shannon Flood, Samantha Rolka, Mitchell Rolka and Michael Rolka and seven great-grandchildren (Audrey, Annalise, Gabby, Elizabeth, Brady, Noland and Alice). He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Glen (Bernice) Hillman, sisters, Marian (Chuck) McConnachie and Anna Mae (Floyd) West.

Don received his B.S, M.S. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He taught Vocational Agriculture at Ubly, MI, for 2 ½ years, was Genesee Co. 4-H Club Agent for 2 years before returning to Michigan State University to work part-time as Extension Specialist while earning his Masters and Ph.D. degrees. He completed 30 years of service as Professor and Extension Specialist at MSU.

After retiring from MSU, he worked for the MI Livestock Exchange, traveled internationally for the National Department of Agriculture, and assisted over 100 farmers losing their cattle (and farms) because of “Stray Voltage”. He presented papers at 13 International Meetings for Specialists on the dangers of “Dirty Electricity” and both the 25th and 27th Annual International Symposium on Man and His Environment. He prepared educational DVD’s for each of the International Meetings and had over 100 research publications, his most recent in 2013, Relationship of electric power quality to mile production of dairy herds-Field study with literature review, Elsevier, and in 2014, Effects of Extraneous Electricity on Dairy Cattle, Other Animals, and Humans-A Guide for Dairymen, Veterinarians, and Investigators of Stray Voltage, Journal of Veterinary Science and Medical Diagnosis.

Don Joined the Catholic Church in 1954 and became very active at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. He was on the First Lansing Diocesan Council, was on the Diocesan Board of Education and the St. Thomas Aquinas Bd. of Education twice. He was also President of the Parish Council and together with James Passanante and Robert Derengoski founded the St. Thomas Aquinas Education Foundation. He also assisted in founding the local chapter of the K of C and other chapters in the area. He was Financial Secretary for the Local K of C reporting to the National K of C and sold K of C insurance for several years. He published the monthly newsletters for both Lansing 4th Degree and local K of C for several years and was on the Degree team initiating new members into the Council.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 11:00 a.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Road, East Lansing. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 13, 5-7 p.m. at the church and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Entombment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Lansing.

Those desiring may give a memorial to the church in memory of Don, where he had children and grandchildren in school continuously from 1957 to 2013, or to Sparrow Hospice Services, 1210 W. Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48915.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel. On line condolences may be made at

www.greastlansing.com