Ilene Sandefer

Ilene Hinderleider Sandefer, age 82, of The Villages, FL, went home to be with her Lord on February 13, 2018. Ilene was born on August 24, 1935, in Alma, Michigan, to Ivan and Naomi Smith.  Her childhood centered around her parents restaurant, The Conery, located in St. Louis, Michigan. Ilene always said her childhood was encompassed in one block: The Conery, her school, her church and her grandmother’s home, all within the same block. She raised her family in Alma and was a founding member of Trinity Baptist Church.

She later moved to Lansing, graduating from Lansing Community College the same year her daughter Susan received her bachelor’s degree and her son John graduated from high school.  They had a big party to celebrate!

Ilene began working for the State of Michigan in 1983 in the department of the Secretary of State.  Three years later she moved to The Office of Historic Preservation.  As part of her duties, she was one of the Directors of the Michigan Centennial Farm Association.  In that capacity it was her responsibility to research and certify centennial farms.  She retired in 2000 from the job she loved so much.

Ilene was a member of South Church in Lansing for nearly thirty years. She enjoyed serving in various ministries and on the mission board. She took mission trips to Ecuador, Spain and France. She also traveled to China as a guest of the Chinese government and to Israel.

Ilene was a fabulous grandmother! She relished spending time with her granddaughters.  Hours were spent playing marbles or cards, canning applesauce or making grandma’s famous carrot cake.  There were numerous trips in the motor home.  The most memorable one was a five-week trip to California in 2006. Ilene invested her life in her granddaughters, paying for them to go to Camp Barakel for years, even volunteering the first week Sarah and Anna went so they would not be afraid to go.  Grandma knew that if she could get them to go once they would love it and they did. From attending Alyssa’s royal 5th birthday party dressed as the Queen (at Alyssa’s request) to allowing Sarah and Anna to color her hair fuchsia when she was 81 years old, her legacy in her granddaughters lives cannot be underestimated.  Alyssa once remarked while thinking back over her childhood, “Grandma was always there.” They will all carry the memories they made with her all the days of their lives.

Eighteen years ago, she married the love of her life, Glenn Sandefer.  Together they had many grand adventures in the motor home they purchased, traveling all over the United States, often taking vacations with Susan’s family.  They also enjoyed a trip with Eric to the Upper Peninsula.

Ilene and Glenn also spent four months in Japan on a mission trip and helped build houses in Mexico.  They also volunteered at Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Ilene was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease eleven years ago.  Although the disease slowly took away her physical abilities, it could not take away her love for all that life had to offer her.  She continued to love and trust her Savior Jesus. She never complained about anything. She took great delight in beating every opponent at Rummy Cube, especially her sister-in-law, Rosemary.  Though it was difficult for her to talk at times, the little smirk and raised eyebrows clearly communicated her enjoyment of yet another victory!

Her love for others, sweet personality and sense of humor were evident to all who knew her. She was still smiling and laughing in her last hours of life.

Ilene was predeceased by her parents, Ivan and Naomi Smith and her son John Hinderleider.  She is survived by her husband Glenn, son Eric Hinderleider, daughter Susan Marsh, granddaughters Alyssa (Paul) Kolis, Sarah and Anna Marsh, sister Doreen Wood and brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Rosemary Sandefer. She is also survived by lifelong friends Dona Powell and Carol Leonard.

Ilene’s family would like to thank Marilyn Ingoglia for helping Ilene enjoy life, caring for her and keeping her laughing for the past three years. Marilyn’s genuine love for Ilene was evident in her every interaction with her.

They would also like to thank the staff of Elan Assisted Living Facility for their loving tender care over the past two years. Caring for her was more than a job for you all. It was truly an act of love and her family is so grateful. The residents of Elan loved Ilene too, especially Ginny and Edith, who loved and encouraged her till the end. Thank you all.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 26, 2018, at South Church, 5250 Cornerstone Dr., Lansing, MI. Visitation begins at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Louis, MI.

Memorial contributions can be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation (for Parkinson’s Research), Donation Processing, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.