Jennifer Irene Kilman

Jennifer Irene Kilman, 43, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2015. She was born August 14, 1971 in Columbus, Ohio with osteogenesis imperfecta, “brittle bone disease”. She never let the disease define her as a person and limit what she could do. She was always upbeat and enthusiastic toward life. She was a graduate of Grove City High School and earned a degree in advertising design and marketing from the Columbus College of Art and Design. She was a volunteer and teacher at the Sullivant Gardens Community Center. Jennifer was crowned the 2009 Miss Wheelchair Ohio and first runner up in the 2009 Miss Wheelchair USA Pageant. She was also crowned Miss Ohio Renaissance in the 2010 Miss American Renaissance Pageant. She was also a recipient of the Dane Foundation “Quality of Life” trophy. She was very active in the Grove City community and worked with several nonprofit organizations. From 1986-1990, while in high school, Jennifer worked for her father in his office at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a part time assistant secretary where she answered phones, assisted with patient exams and billing files. She had a special way of relating to young children and easing their fears during examinations. During the 1999-2001 Christmas season, she worked part time at Bath and Body Works greeting customers, managing and redesigning the show floor plan. Also, from 1999-2001, she worked for Columbus Medical Equipment Co. as a Marketing Director/Advertising Designer and Consultant. From 2007-2009 she worked at the Southwestern Career Academy as a GED counselor and ESL test coordinator under the helpful guidance of Director, Robert Jackson, a former teacher at Grove City High School who had tutored her during long bouts of absences due to fractures or Illness. He became a big supporter of her in her main endeavors following her high school career. In June, 2009, Cheryl Grossman of House District #23, Grove City, Oh. submitted a RESOLUTION to honor Jennifer Kilman as MS. Wheelchair Ohio U.S.A. 2009. The resolution was passed and presented in a State House Session. After Jennifer won this title of Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2009, the mayor of Grove City, Ike Stage, added her name and title to the Grove City’s welcome signs. In 2010 Jennifer was guest ringmaster at the Aladdin Shrine Circus. Her early successful surgeries on straightening her legs were performed at the Chicago Shriners Hospital for Children. Jennifer was an active volunteer for various community groups and fundraisers including Toastmasters International at ATM level thru Nationwide Children’s Hospital, National OIF Support Group out of Cincinnati, Oh., participant in AD Farrow Harley-Davidson team for 2009 Komen Race for the Cure, Central Ohio Federation of Christian Athletes and active fundraiser participant. Central Ohio Republican Women’s Group as “Chair of Fundraising” one year, Central Ohio Young Republicans, Marketing Planner for Calicos non-profit organization for Women in Cultural Arts, Board member of Grove City 2010 “Relay for Life” event 2010. Jennifer is survived by her devoted parents, James W. Kilman, MD. and Priscilla M. Kilman; brother, Bennett F. Schmidt (Christine); half-brother, James W. Kilman, Jr. (Theresa); half-sister, Julia Kilman Sagraves (Barry); nieces, Rebecca and Rachel Kilman, Isabelle Sagraves, Gwenyth Schmidt-Arenales; nephews, Andrew and Charles Kilman, Paul Sagraves, and Frederick Schmidt-Arenales; maternal aunt, Susan Shellabarger; maternal uncle, James Jackson; cousins, John and Doug Shellabarger, Mark and Steve Jackson, Katie Jackson Sadoff; and many other close family and friends. Visitation will be 3 - 7 PM Monday, June 1, 2015 at the SCHOEDINGER GROVE CITY CHAPEL, 3920 Broadway, Grove City. Funeral service will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday at the Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205. Interment Green Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jennifer’s memory may be made to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, 804 W. Diamond Ave. Ste. 210, Gaithersburg, MD 20878; Nationwide Children’s Hospital, AIM Team/Palliative Medicine, 700 Children’s Dr., A1050, Columbus, Ohio 43205; or Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 1525 Ranson, WV 25438. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory or photo of Jennifer.