Sheila May Gilpin

Sheila May Gilpin passed away Monday, November 28, 2022, at the age of 84. She was born in Hastings, Michigan on December 22, 1937, the youngest of five children to Max and Leila (Wolfe) Gooch. She was a spunky child growing up, never afraid to catch wild animals, run barefoot through the neighborhood or jump off chicken coops. She, along with her sisters and brother, grew up in a loving and caring home. During her childhood, she and her family moved from Charlotte to Eaton Rapids, graduating from Eaton Rapids High School in 1956. After graduating, she met James (Jim) Gilpin and fell in love. She and Jim were married on February 15, 1958. They welcomed two children; a daughter, Toni and a son, Troy. In 1980, they completed the build on their very own home and moved in. Throughout the last 42 years, Sheila and Jim landscaped, tended, and cared for their seven-acre paradise. She loved her gardens, saving every sapling she ever came across. She was an avid rock hunter, adventurous traveler, and antique queen. She enjoyed painting and teaching others how. She was a rebel of sorts, even becoming one of the first women in the area to ride her very own motorcycle. Her nickname was “Yama-hama-mama.” She retired from the Eaton Rapids bus garage after 22 years. After her retirement, she devoted her time to her passions: gardening, decorating, and most importantly, her family. She spent as much time as she could with her four grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great great-grandson. Their “GG” held a special connection to each and every one of them. She was always there teaching them and encouraging them to blaze their own path through life. Her motto was, “Keep it simple- just like me.”
Sheila is survived by her husband of 64 years, James Gilpin; children, Toni Matthews of Eaton Rapids, Troy Gilpin of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren: Jessica Seguin of Eaton Rapids, Meagan (Randy) McLouth of Eaton Rapids, Nikolas Matthews of Eaton Rapids, Kelsey (Brandon) Matthews-Trosper of Eaton Rapids; ten great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson; sisters, Mickey Schnepp of Lansing, Kay Love of Eaton Rapids; several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joyce Elston; brother, Larry Gooch.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will take place one hour prior. Memorial contributions can be made to the Wildside Rehabilitation & Education Center, 8601 Houston Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, millsfuneral.com.