Ilene (Norton) (James) Gilchrist

Ilene (James) Gilchrist, age 90, of New Era, passed away Friday, February 7, 2020.  She was born July 3, 1929 to Clayton and Goldie Norton of Walkerville.

Ilene graduated from Muskegon High School and later, the Butterworth School of Nursing in 1950, with her R.N. degree.

She married Albert James in January of 1951 and was blessed with six children, Cathy Schmieding, Darrel James, Paul James, Lorraine Mitteer, Mark James and Mary Rapes.  She dearly loved her family, life and her Lord.    

She was employed at Lakeshore Community Hospital in Shelby for forty years before her retirement.  Ilene was a member of Shelby Wesleyan Church where she taught Sunday School and played the organ and piano.

Albert and Ilene loved to travel.  He passed away in July of 1994.  She married Donald Gilchrist in February of 2001.  Don and Ilene loved to go to Alaska and farm auctions.  Don had two daughters, Judie Ewing and Francis Tice.  They were members of the Antique Oats Tractor Club.  Don passed away in March of 2015.

Ilene was also survived by twenty-one grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Wanda Deur, Theda West and Judy VanArman; and many nieces and nephews.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, special grandson, Jeremy Mitteer and son-in-law, Chuck Rapes.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 10th, 1 pm with the funeral to follow at 2 pm both at Shelby Wesleyan Church.  Interment will be in Mennonite Cemetery.  Please consider Shelby Wesleyan Church, 54 North State Street, Shelby or the Ladder Community Center, 67 North State Street, Shelby as a memorial. 

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