Jillane Louise "Jill" Branch

Jillane Louise "Jill" (Jennings) Branch of Richland, MI
















Jill, age 69, died Thursday morning, June 26, 2014 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence of Kalamazoo, MI, following a long battle against cancer.



Jill, the daughter of Edmund L. and Dorothy C. (Newcomer) Jennings, was born on August 23, 1944 in Battle Creek, MI; was lifetime area resident and a 1962 graduate of Gull Lake High School, Richland. She was the former owner and operator of Jill's Hair Design in Richland for many years. Jill enjoyed the out-of -doors especially biking and walking and any and all water sports most notably kayaking, swimming and jet skiing. But her true passion in life was spoiling her two grandsons, Rook and Drew.



Jill was united in marriage to Frank W. Branch on August 28, 1963 at the First Presbyterian Church of Richland and he preceded her in death on August 9, 2005. Surviving is her daughter, Brenda L. (Tim) Lantinga of Richland; her son, Todd Wm. Branch of Delton, MI and her two precious grandsons, Wm. Rook and Drew G. Lantinga. Jill was preceded in death by her parents.



The Funeral Service to celebrate Jill's life will be held on Tuesday, July 1st at Noon at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89) with Rev. Karl N. Strenge, Pastor of Redemption Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home. Family and friends will continue Jill's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon at The Dock at Bayview, 12504 East D Avenue, Richland, MI 49083. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jill's honor may be made to the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Athletic Programs, c/o St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, 126 Capital Avenue, NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017.