Dorothy Leone Klinger Hilton, aged 95 years old, died the morning of April 7, 2022, in Ludington, Michigan, after a brief hospitalization. Born in Muskegon, on October 12, 1926, she was the youngest of three children of Emil Adolph Klinger and Nellie Mae Van Etten.  She grew up in Muskegon and lived her whole life in an area about sixty miles north of Muskegon, close to Lake Michigan.

On December 21, 1943, she married Raymond Harold Hilton in Angola, Steuben County, Indiana. They had eight children and resided primarily in Pentwater and Scottville, Michigan.  The family had many back yard picnics and holiday dinners at the Scottville house.

Dorothy was three years old when the great depression began, and she remained a thrifty person her whole life.  However, she was as generous as possible with her family and grandchildren.  Her early life was challenged by the divorce of her parents also in 1929.  She was raised primarily by her German immigrant father, Emil.  Emil was a cook by profession and Dorothy became an excellent cook, particularly known for her fantastic fruit pies.  Characteristic of her generation she developed resilience and independence.  Dorothy saw the inherent worth of all people.  As a young adult she left a social club as the club showed preferential membership.  She was and will remain a role model for her children and grandchildren.

Her early adult life was focused on her family and children.  She was an excellent seamstress and made many of her children's clothes.  In midlife she did enter the work force.  Early education eluded her, but to improve her work position she obtained a GED and entered West Shore Community College to obtain a practical nursing degree, graduating in August 1973 at the age of 46 years.  She, and her family, were very proud of her LPN status.  She worked many years at the Ludington Medical Memorial Center.  In 1979 she and Ray started a licensed foster care home in Scottville, Michigan.  Their foster care beds were always in demand.  The residents enjoyed her fine cooking and individualized quality care.  Dorothy retired when she was 70 years old.

Throughout her life, Dorothy loved antiquing and attending estate sales.  She was very knowledgeable about dishes and collector plates and over the years acquired a significant collection.  Her everyday reading was antique magazines and books.  She was particularly happy when she found a bargain on a desirable item for one of her children.  Another favorite pastime was playing slot machines for entertainment and companionship.  She had reasonably good luck and once won a brand-new truck at a casino.

Left to mourn her passing are her daughter, Hazel Marine Seaba and her son, Louis Seaba; son, Frank Raymond Hilton and his daughter, Alice (partner Scott Case) Hilton and son, Robert (Sara) Hilton; daughter, Nancy Ruth (Steven) Mustaikis and their daughter, Heather (David) Hendrickson and son, Steven (Carrie) Mustaikis; son, Leonard Elgin (Annette) Hilton and their sons, Kenneth Hilton and Thomas Hilton; son, Ralph James (Jean) Hilton and their children, Angela Hilton and Christopher Hilton; son, Mark Allen (partner Mary Boyer) Hilton and his children, Harmony (Brandon) Gokey and Allen (Loren) Hilton; daughter, Winifred Ann (John) Tiles and their daughters, Sarah (Kevin) Cooper, Lisa (Anthony) Davis, Katerina (Matthew) Brown, and Larry Edward (partner Kimberly Richmond) Hilton. Dorothy had 21 great-grandchildren: Kylar, Jesse, James, Caiden, Karly, Rigel, Carson, Lauren, Sawyer, Colton, Bella, Henry, Genevieve, Brighten, Jace, Adalynn, Lincoln, Quinntin, Lucas, Finley, and Theodore.

She is also survived by: her older sister, Gloria Weiss and Gloria's four children; her brother, Emil's eight children; and her beloved dog, Pixie.

Preceding her in death were: her husband in 1980; brother and sister-in-law, Emil (Bud) and Beverly Klinger; brother-in-law, Donald Weiss; son-in-law, Peter Seaba; daughter-in-law, Fern Hilton; grandchild, Raymond Frank Hilton; her parents; two step-brothers, Donald Barber and Robert Barber; and another beloved dog, Lucky.

Funeral services celebrating Dorothy's life will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Friday, April 15, 2022, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King Hart Chapel, 2370 North 72 ^nd Avenue, Hart, MI 49420.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until the time of services at the funeral home.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com