Eleanor Charlotte Schippers

ADRIAN- Eleanor Charlotte Schippers, age 91 of Adrian, Michigan passed away on March 15, 2021. She was born September 15, 1929, in Creston, Iowa to John and Olga (Boettcher) Kilian. On August 3, 1951, she married George Schippers in Holland, Michigan. At the age of nine, Eleanor became the organist at the Lutheran Church in Creston, Iowa and later continued organ studies at the University of Dubuque in Iowa. Eleanor graduated from Holland High School in 1947 and then attended Western Michigan University, graduating cum laude in 1951 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Public School Music. Mrs. Schippers taught elementary music in Morenci, Tecumseh and Adrian schools, retiring in 1958. She was an early member of Matinee Musical and served as president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, a member of The Adrian Garden Club where she served as secretary, and a past member of Alpha Omega Study group. Eleanor was a charter member of Hope Lutheran church serving as organist, children’s choir director, Youth leader, choir member, treasurer of the Women’s Group, and a member of the Worship Commission. Survivors include her five children, Steven Schippers of Baltimore, Maryland, Jan Schippers of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Beth (Robert) Zelony of Pound Ridge, New York, Kathleen (Jeffrey) VarnHagen of Howell, Michigan, and Laura (Daniel) Lamont of Mendham, New Jersey; grandchildren, Michael, Sarah and Hannah Schippers, Meghan Zelony Lujan and Taylor Zelony, Stephanie, Elizabeth, Joshua and Natalie VarnHagen and Nicholas, Jack and Abigail Lamont; 2 great-grandchildren, Jaxon Schippers and Elias Lujan; her brother, John (Shirley) Kilian of Swartz Creek, Michigan and brother -in-law, Dr. William Heydorn of Tiburon, California. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George Schippers; sisters, Olga DeKok and Joan Heydorn; brother-in-law, Paul DeKok and sister-in-law, Della Schippers. Cremation has taken place as requested by Eleanor. Visitation will be held at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on April 10, 2021. A memorial service will be held at Hope Lutheran Church on April 10, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Paul Herter officiating. Please contact the church for reservations as seating will be limited. Social distancing and mask requirements will be followed at both venues. A live streaming of Eleanor's memorial service will be accessible from Hope Lutheran Church's Facebook page beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2021. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church or Adrian College Department of Music. If you have any questions regarding memorial contributions please contact the funeral home for more details. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian, where online memories and condolences may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Eleanor Charlotte Schippers

September 15, 1929 - March 15, 2021