Carmela M. Hill
Carmela Mary Hill (nee Sofio) was born August 20, 1923 in Bessemer Michigan to Rocco and Giuseppina (Russo) Sofio. Carmela was always known to her friends and family as Mela. She was bapitized into the family of God at St. Sebastian Catholic church in Bessemer. On May 7, 1943 Carmela was united in marriage with her life-long love William Hill at the Post Chapel, Fort Dix, New Jersey.
After graduating high school Carmela moved to Appleton Wisconsin to live with her sister. She worked in the Walgreen Drug Store there. Shortly after marrying in 1943, she moved backed to Bessemer to live with her parents while her husband was away at war in Europe. Their daughter Pamela Kathryn Hill (Ogle) was born in Bessemer in October 1944. At the end of the war Carmela’s husband was first able to see his baby girl. In 1948 Carmela gave birth to a son, William Hill.
Carmela’s married life was the life of an army-wife. She followed her husband through thick and thin as they moved from Bessemer to Mississippi to New Mexico to Houghton (in the UP) to California, Japan and Germany. Carmela and family finally settled for over 20 years in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area where their son and daughter graduated school. She loved everywhere that she lived and she always made friends wherever she lived.
After Carmela’s children married and left home, her husband attended the Lutheran Seminary at Concordia in Fort Wayne Indiana. She then began a new life as a pastor’s wife. Upon Carmela’s husband’s graduation from seminary, she moved to Tayorsville, North Carolina where Carmela’s husband, Pastor William Hill led the Salem Lutheran Church from July 1980 to May of 1992.
Carmela and William moved back to Michigan in 1992 to be close to their daughter’s family in Lansing. Their son has been living in Europe in the Netherlands for the 45 years. She was able to visit two times in Europe to see her son and his family.
Carmela enjoyed life to the fullest where ever she was. Her fondest times were (as she often said) in Virginia as a mother raising her children to adulthood. She was a loving mother and loving wife to her family.
Carmela was a garrulous and a friendly woman who loved meeting people and loved being with people. She loved playing games and entertaining people in her home. All felt welcomed in her presence.
Carmela was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Joe Sofio, Freddie Sofio, Tony Sofio; and sisters Phil Mennestrena, Josephine Fazio and Jean Gruner. She is survived by her daughter Pamela (Arthur) Ogle, son William (Hennie); grandchildren James Ogle and Danielle Jesko, Jonah Hill, Elizabeth Hill and David Hill; great grandchildren Zackary Ogle, Cameron Ogle and Mackenzie Ogle, Trevor and Tyler Jesko, Matthijs Hill, Eva Hill, Jenny Hill, Bram Snoep, Lily-Mae Eering, Isaac Hill.
Carmela went to her eternal rest on November 20, 2018. She will be laid to rest at Deepdale Memorial Gardens, Lansing Michigan. This will be the temporary resting place of her remains until the resurrection of all flesh when her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ returns with power and glory to judge the world. Until that time, we know form Scripture that Carmela’s soul rejoices with her Lord in Heaven.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 7910 E. St. Joe Hwy., Lansing. Interment will take place in Deepdale Memorial Gardens. Her family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Our Savior Lutheran Church Message of Hope Scholarship.
3 Messages to “Carmela M. Hill”
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Kathy and Gary Knippenberg
November 26, 2018 at 1:41 pmDear Pam, Artie, Butch and all Carmela’s family:
Our family experienced so much love and kindness from Carmela over the years — always greeting us with a big smile, remembering us in some way when ill or celebrating an event, or by taking an interest in our kids and asking how they are doing. Her compassion and kindness is just who she was.
One other trait we enjoyed about her over the years was her humor and her ability to make us laugh at the most unexpected times. She would get tickled about something and laugh – then try to tell what she was ticked about – all the while laughing harder – each attempt became more hilarious. Needless to say we would start laughing to the point of tears – and it all started with Carmela.
One other time that will remain with us — about 12-14 of us were at a TLC Bible study at the Terrells led by Pastor Bill. We finished the study part and pastor requested we pray (all this being said while Carmela was talking to the person beside her). Pastor bowed his head and patiently waited for Carmela to stop talking. A few seconds later Carmela turned to see Pastor with his head down. He then proceeded to say “Mela are you ready” to which she replied “Oh, I’m sorry – I thought you dozed off to sleep.” His response to her was “Mela, we’ll talk later.” Needless to say, we all had a very hard time muffling/controlling our laughter while praying. To this day when the phrase “we’ll talk later” is said –a smile is on our face as it reminds us of the Carmela /Pastor exchange.
God blessed us immensely by Carmela being in of our lives. She will be missed so very much. We know you will miss her too. You showed her so much love and patience– especially these past few years as it became harder for her. Now she finally is with her Bill.
Gary and I pray that God’s peace, love and comfort, and the love of those around you, sustain and help you through the difficult days ahead. Remember there are no forever good byes for those who are in Christ. Love Kathy and Gary Knippenberg and Family
Pamela j Crowley
December 12, 2018 at 10:59 amPam, Artie & Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your lovely mother. She was so kind and sweet. I a joy to spend time with when I was in Lansing. I was touched that she came to my mothers funeral
and will always remember her fondly,
lily-mae eering
January 10, 2022 at 8:33 amik vind het zo zielig dat mijn overgrootmoeder is overleden ik wou haar in het echt zien en haar man (I think it’s so sad that my great-grandmother passed away I wanted to see her in real life and her husband)