GRANVILLE, OHIO
Mrs. Hill, a parishioner of Granville Centenary United Methodist Church, and a longtime resident of Granville, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.
She was born in Franklin, Indiana on Friday, December 13, 1924, the luckiest day ever, to the late Arnold David Haymaker and Mildred (Gerald F. Walker) Tucker.
Raised by her maternal grandparents, Viola and Lloyd Jefferson Tucker, along with her young brother, the late Arnold Tucker Haymaker, Mary-Louise graduated from Columbus High School in Indiana and proceeded to Purdue University to major in home economics.
World War II was in progress as she began Purdue. She joined Alpha Eta Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity at Purdue. After a semester off due to a field hockey injury, Mary-Louise “Nickie” returned to Purdue and changed majors to electrical engineering. Graduating in 1946 with a BS in EE, she was only the second woman receiving an electrical engineering degree from Purdue University at the time.
Mary-Louise “Nickie” met her future husband, Bennie Eugene Hill, in high school, where they remained friends until after his return from World War II.
At the time, Mary- Louise was working in Schenectady, New York for General Electric and returned to Fort Wayne, Indiana to be closer to Bennie, now her fiancee.
On June 14, 1947, Mary-Louise Haymaker married Bennie Eugene Hill. With Bennie finishing his BS degree in metallurgical engineering at Purdue, Mary-Louise was offered and accepted a teaching position in electrical engineering at Purdue University.
It was quite something to teach her own husband’s friends in class. While at Purdue, Mary-Louise and Bennie welcomed their first son into the world.
After Bennie’s graduation, and his acceptance of a new position at Owens Corning Fiberglass, the small family moved to Granville, Ohio.
Mary-Louise supported her husband as he eventually started his own company, Contour Forming Inc. in Newark, Ohio. Though Mary-Louise was not a formal partner, her interest and understanding of engineering came in handy as her husband made his way in this endeavor.
Mary-Louise continued to act as assistant treasurer and consultant to CFI.
Mary-Louise and Bennie went on to have four more children.
Mrs. Hill, married to Bennie for 64 years, is survived by her children and their spouses Terrie Lee and Betty Jo Hill, Garrie Lynn and Lesley Ann Hill, of Granville, Melodie Lee and David Milton Welch of Lafayette, Louisiana, Bennie Eugene II and Sandy Hill of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and Tracie Lynn and Donna Lynn Hill of Granville; her grandchildren, Terrie Lee Hill II, Gaven Ryan Hill, Breeanna Erryn Hill and Theron Rhys Hill, Taryl David and Kristie Welch, Kaleia Lynn and Christopher Corbin, and Steinn Ross Welch, Thomas Tracie Hill and Marykate Annalee Hill; great- grandchildren, Rowan Christopher Corbin, Camden Kristine and Alyssa Taylor Welch.
Mary-Louise Hill spent a fulfilling life as loving wife and mother and active in her community, serving in many posts and offices of Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity for 75 years, Order of Eastern Star for more than 70 years and Daughters of the American Revolution for more than 35 years.
Mary-Louise “Nickie” was involved with the local hospital’s TWIG volunteer organization, was a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, member of Mother’s Club, and a Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow for over 50 years.
For hobbies, Mary-Louise was an avid collector of miniatures, played the cello and was part of a long-standing group of friends that gathered to play pinochle.
Private graveside services will be held in Maple Grove Cemetery.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Granville Township Fire Department and 911 Squad, P.O. Box 202, Granville, Ohio 43023.
Reed-Egan Funeral Home, 141 Green Wave Dr., Newark, Ohio is assisting with the arrangements.
For an online guestbook, please visit www reedegan.com.
