Doris Ann Hamill

Doris Ann Hamill, age 97, of Portage, died on April 24, 2024. She was born on December 5, 1926, in Ferndale, Michigan, the daughter of Roy and Anna (Purbaugh) Ecker. Her family includes her daughters: Darline Haley and Donna Randol; her grandsons: Michael (Taylor) Haley and Matthew Haley; her great-grandchildren: Tegan Haley, Chloe Haley, Silas Haley, and Rumi Landon; her nieces and nephews: Jane (Jeff) Harnack, Rick (Chris) Hamill, Robin Hamill, and Wendy Dillworth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Wendel Ecker, her husband William “Bill” Hamill, her sons-in-law Dave Haley and Doug Randol, her grandson Joshua Haley, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Treva Hamill, and her nephew Tom Hamill.

On August 18, 1945, Doris married Bill Hamill, her high school sweetheart and “love of her life.” They shared 75 years of marriage, making wonderful memories until his death in 2020. They loved boating and traveling together.

Doris received her master’s degree from Western Michigan University in Education. She was a teacher consultant for the Kalamazoo Public Schools, working with children with physical impairments.

Doris was an avid reader and always had a “book going.” She was a member of several book groups for many years. She loved gardening in her own gardens, as well as around the Richland community and her church. She was a long-time member of the Seedlings master gardener group, as well as a member of the Late Bloomers master gardening group.

She was an active member of the Gull Lake United Methodist Church for over 40 years, singing in the choir and participating in many women’s groups. She was active in the development of the Gull Lake United Methodist Church over 40 years ago. Doris was an integral part of the development of the Richland Community Center.

Above all, Doris was a loving and supportive mother and grandmother, always helping with her beloved grandsons. She loved her family and can only be described as a loving, kind, and nurturing mother and grandparent. Her family always came first.

Her family are so appreciative for the caring and loving Brookdale Memory Care staff who were with her and comforting her through her journey. They truly are “angels.” The family would also like to thank the Centrica/hospice staff for their constant support of our family and our mother and holding us up when our family needed it.

A memorial service and luncheon to honor Doris’ life will be held on Saturday, May 18th, at 11:00 AM at Gull Lake United Methodist Church, 8640 Gull Rd, Richland, MI 49083. A private ceremony, at a later date, will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery, where she will be placed with her husband, Bill, a WWII veteran.

A fund is being arranged to develop a Grandma Doris’ Garden for Children. The site for this garden will be at the Richland Area Community Center, 9400 E. CD Ave., Richland, MI 49083, (269) 629-9430. Donations in honor of Doris may be mailed directly to the Richland Area Community Center or through the following link. Please designate the funds “In honor of Doris Hamill, Garden for Children” when donating. www.richlandareacc.org/donations/

Please share memories of Doris with her family at www.langelands.com.