Madaline Lucille Hilliard

A Memorial service for Mindy will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 1pm-4pm at St. Henry's Center, 4039 E. Vernon Rd., Rosebush, MI 48878.

Mindy was born on March 29, 1943 in Muskegon, the daughter of Gerald Esch and biological mother of Etta Gage. She was raised by her loving Mother (biological Aunt) Lucille Medley and loving father (biological Uncle) John McLaughlin of Rosebush, MI. She married her husband Dana Don Hilliard on July 27, 1963 at St. Henry Catholic Church. Mindy spent many years raising her children. After her kids were on their own, Mindy worked for Soaring Eagle Casino in the Bingo area until she retired.

Mindy is survived by significant other, Charles Smith Jr, her children, Eugene Hilliard of Coleman, Dana Templin (Rodney) of Milton, PA, and Deborah Schafer (James Geiger) of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren, Autumn Hilliard, Benjamin Catlin (Stevie), Rebecka Cooley (Tim), Kristi Wonsitler, David Wonsitler (Cynthia), Karla Anton (Brandon), and Kyle Harman; great-grandchildren, Victoria Smith, Alexander Haswell, Kendall Gregory, Sophia Gregory, Dylan Gregory, Ava Wonsitler, Roxanna Harman and Scarlett Harman. Brother, Jerry Esch, Sister, Carolyn Wagonmaker(Jim), Brothers-in-law, Dennis (Denise) Hilliard of Jacksonville, FL and Robert (Sharon) Hilliard of Auburn; sister-in-law, Carmen Tolman of Jacksonville, FL; Goddaughter, Kimberly Hilliard and many nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband, Dana, Half Sisters, Virginia Pettiplace and Mary Lou Karlin, Brother-in-law, Michael Foster, Sister-in-law, Betty Esch and Son-in-law Alan Schafer