Ida Mae Hillger

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Ida Mae Hillger, at the age of 87.

A God-fearing woman of grace, strength, and unwavering love, Ida Mae devoted her life to her faith, her family, and the values she worked tirelessly to instill in those she loved most. Alongside her beloved husband, Dave, whom she shared 50 wonderful years of marriage with, Ida raised three daughters who were the pride and joy of her life — Kimberly McDonald (Jim), Shawna Pagan (Don), and Davon Renfrow (Jeff). Together, Dave and Ida created a home rooted in faith, humility, discipline, and love.

Ida was the definition of class and quiet strength. She believed that character mattered, that hard work mattered, and that how you treated people mattered most of all. She taught her girls everything from how to properly set a table to how to carry themselves with dignity and kindness in every room they entered. She encouraged excellence, removed obstacles when needed, and never allowed her daughters to settle for less than their God-given potential.

She taught the importance of appreciating life’s blessings with humility and gratitude. She instilled a strong work ethic, respect for others and the understanding that true character is shown in how you treat people every day. She led by example to those around her, and the impact of that example ran deep through generations of family and loved ones.

In the later years of her life, following the passing of Dave, Ida found love once again with her husband, Gary Ackerson, who also preceded her in death. Though their time together was shorter than anyone would have hoped, Ida appreciated the care, companionship and happiness their relationship brought into her life.

Her love extended far beyond her immediate family. She was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother to many, and lovingly embraced many others throughout her life who simply became family along the way. Her warmth, wisdom, and nurturing spirit touched countless lives.

Those who knew Ida Mae will remember her quiet determination, her deep faith and the steady way she loved and guided her family. She leaves behind a legacy not measured by possessions, but by the strength, values and faith she planted in generations to come.

While our hearts ache in her absence, we find peace in knowing she is now in the presence of her Savior, fully restored, joyful and more alive than ever before. We can only imagine her walking the streets of heaven with the same grace, elegance, and spirited spark that defined her here on earth. She lived a full and meaningful life devoted to God, family, and purpose, and her legacy will continue in the lives of the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and loved ones who were shaped by her love, strength and example every day.

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