Darold Lee Hill

Darold Lee Hill, 84, of Spring Arbor, Michigan completed his journey to glory on October 25, 2024 as he joined the church triumphant. Although a “Yooper” at heart, Darold was ushered into this world by a neighbor in a farmhouse in Isabella County on April 20, 1940. His formative years were spent without running water or electricity, in a log cabin in the woods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan alongside a family of 11 siblings, all of whom have predeceased him except for Wayne (Arlene) Hill and Doug (Linda) Hill. Darold’s stories about the bear who entered the cabin, the one-room schoolhouse and his faithful dog Pal, entertained all who knew him. His love of the railroad, born in his childhood, remained his entire life culminating in a trip with both his sons to see the “Big Boy” steam locomotive just weeks before his death.

At the age of 8, in the Manistique Free Methodist Church, Darold met the abiding love of his life, his savior Jesus Christ. He often celebrated the faithfulness of the country pastor who discovered the rag tag Hill kids and drove 64 miles each Sunday to bring them to church. That seed bore fruit as Darold felt called into pastoral ministry and attended Greenville College. While visiting his grandmother on college break, Darold picked up a local newspaper and saw the picture of a girl he remembered from his childhood church. He wrote to Marjorie Conner, beginning a love story of faith, commitment, and fun. Nothing made Darold’s eyes twinkle more than teasing Marg. Throughout their 64 years of marriage, they always took care of one another. Even as his body failed him and Marg’s tender care of him increased, he still wanted to serve her in small ways like making the bed each morning.

Darold also faithfully served Christ’s bride, the church. As a 19-year-old college student, he was appointed to his first congregation of 2 ladies at Mulberry Grove. His ministry continued for more than 60 years, serving Free Methodist churches in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. Darold held his own with academics, but his heart lived with the breakfast crowd at The Wooden Spoon. Although his degrees entitled him to be called Dr. Hill, his most treasured title was always pastor. In his later years, Parkinson’s curbed his ability to do “kingdom work” in the way he wanted, but his perseverance amidst suffering witnessed in ways he didn’t plan.

On the first day of his final hospitalization, Darold’s was the devotional scheduled to be read by his church. Writing about Habakkuk, he said “God’s mercy is like the manna He gave in the wilderness. You can’t store it up. You can’t keep it overnight. Enough comes for each day.” Those words sustained family and friends through Darold’s final battle. Even while bed-bound, Darold sang hymns of the faith with visitors and shared his testimony, letting everyone know he anticipated heaven.

Darold is survived by his wife, Marjorie (Conner) Hill, three children and their spouses Wendell (Jody) Hill, Kelly (Marvella) Hill, and Sonja (Bill) Sray, as well as 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 

A Celebration of his life will be held at The Arbor Church – 120 East Main Street, Spring Arbor, Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00am.  Pastor Mark VanValin and Pastor John VanValin officiating.  Interment, Spring Arbor Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the Watson Funeral Chapel on Friday, November 1, 2024 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm and Saturday at the church from 10:00am until the time of service. There will be a live stream of the service from The Arbor Church at: https://www.youtube.com/live/nUKipFKXR3U

In lieu of flowers, donations in Darold’s memory can be made to The Arbor Church or International Child Care Ministries.

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