Vera M. Hille

Vera Mae (Schaaf) Hille of Elmore, Ohio died Tuesday March 30th, 2021 at home with family. She was 96 years old. Born May 16, 1924 to Alma and Leonard Schaaf, she was delivered in a brick house on the family farm. She graduated from Harris- Elmore High School in 1942 and later attended Stautzenberger College in Toledo. Vera worked at Toledo Trust Bank and the Elmore Multiplex Co. during WWII. On July 25, 1945, Vera married Earl Hille of Graytown, Ohio. They were married for 59 years. The couple had three sons: Paul, Gordon, and David. Throughout their marriage, Vera and Earl enjoyed traveling with the boys on family trips across the United States, and later visited Europe and the Middle East. Vera and Earl bought the Schaaf Farm (her childhood home) later known to be the Hille Strawberry Farm which operated for 20 years. They made many friends in the community, building a “pick your own” operation, with an ice cream shop and bakery, with Vera managing the kitchen and bookkeeping. Vera never knew her mother because she died at a very young age, but was raised by her grandmother and grandfather, father, aunts, and uncle. All precede her in death including sister Mrs. Mildred Marquardt, as well as Vera’s son and daughter in law, Paul and Kathleen Hille. Vera loved her family and her devoted husband Earl. The couple enjoyed playing cards and games with friends throughout the years, as well as yearly trips to Florida. Vera was baptized, confirmed, and married in Grace Lutheran Church and was an active lifelong member there throughout the years, becoming the oldest baptized and confirmed member. She was president of the Elmore Literary Club and belonged to Mother’s Club, American Legion Auxiliary of Elmore, Luther League, Mary- Martha Guild, and Women of the Church. Vera was a dedicated writer, keeping a diary from the time she was a teen until 2021, and writing poems for her family to enjoy. After Earl’s passing in 2004, she read over three hundred books from the Elmore library. While 95 years old, she achieved Ottawa County Senior Center Hall of Fame and was an active member in the center. Vera is survived by her sons, Gordon and David (Michaeline) and grandchildren: Janelle (Tristam) Aldridge, Sara (Andrew) Popejoy, April (John) Pearson, Madelyn Hille, Branden (Dana) Hille, Annie (Wayne) Knitz and Mary (JJ Van) Crawford, Alex (James) O’Brien, and Clinton (Nicole) Kaptur, and great grandchildren: Shelby, Summer, and AJ Popejoy, Bryce and Levi Aldridge, Logan Hille, William Kaptur, Emerson and Brummitt O’Brien, and Luke Pearson. Visitation will be 4-8pm Monday at the Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elmore-Genoa Chapel. Funeral Services will begin at 10am Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elmore, OH with Pastor Jaci Tiell officiating. Burial will be in Harris- Elmore Union Cemetery, Elmore, OH. Those wishing to give a memorial contribution are asked to consider Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Harris- Elmore Public Library, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserfuneralhome.com.