George Schippers

ADRIAN – George Schippers, age 89, of Adrian, Michigan passed away April 13, 2016. He was born October 12, 1926 in Holland, Michigan, the son of George and Johanna (VanderPloeg) Schippers. On August 3, 1951 he married Eleanor C. Kilian. He graduated from Holland High School in June 1944. He then enlisted in the U. S. Navy, graduated from Special Advanced Radio School, and was stationed at Navy Radio Central in San Francisco, California. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended the University Of Michigan School Of Business Administration and graduated in June 1950. He was employed by Root & Nicolai, Certified Public Accountants in Adrian. After passing the CPA exam, he became a partner in the firm that subsequently became Schippers, Kintner & Robertson. He retired in 1991. Professionally he served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants as well as on the membership, ethics and nominations committees. He also served as chairman of the Central Chapter of the Michigan Association of CPA’s and also as president of the Lenawee County Estate Planning Group. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served as Treasurer, Secretary and Sunday School Superintendent. When St. John’s sponsored the formation of a sister church, he volunteered to become a charter member of Hope Lutheran Church, was the first chairman of the congregation and also later served as chairman of the Evangelism and the Stewardship Commissions. He served as a board member of the Christian Family Foundation and served as President of the Greater Adrian Industrial Development Corp. Mr. Schippers is survived by his wife of 64 years. Also surviving are in-laws Olga DeKok of Holland, MI, John and Shirley Kilian of Swartz Creek, MI; and Dr. William Heydorn of Tiburon, CA. Also surviving are his five children, Steven Schippers of Akron, OH; Jan Schippers of Ann Arbor, MI, Beth (Rob) Zelony of Chappaqua, NY, Kathleen (Jeff) VarnHagen of White Lake, MI, and Laura (Dan) Lamont of Mendham, NJ. Grandchildren surviving are Michael, Sarah and Hannah Schippers, Meghan and Taylor Zelony, Stephanie, Elizabeth, Joshua and Natalie VarnHagen and Nicholas, Jack and Abigail Lamont. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Della Schippers, sister-in-law, Joan Heydorn, and brother-in-law, Paul DeKok. Cremation has taken place as requested by Mr. Schippers. A memorial service will be held at Hope Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Herter officiating. Visitation will be at the church Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the service. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Hospice of Lenawee or the donor’s charity of choice. Envelopes will be available at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

George Schippers

October 12, 1926 - April 13, 2016