Jill Marie Stephan

Jill Marie Stephan (Clark-Stanley)

October 2, 1971 to April 29, 2021

Life is more than a mere set of dates; but rather what you do in the dash, and oh what a life Jill led.

She was born as one-half of “twin power” to Father Jack Clark Sr. and Darlene DesRochers. Jill proudly bragged of her 2 amazing children, Tabbitha Belcher married to Peter Belcher, whom Jill adored, and Seth Stanley. Tabbitha and Peter also gifted Jill with the light of her life and twinkle of her eye; her Grannyson Peter and the coming of baby Belcher #2 debuting in August 2021. She also had 3 children of the heart, Alexander Stephan married to MaKayla (San Diego CA), Anthony Stephan (Bermerton WA), and Andrea Stephan (Kalamazoo, MI) as well as 4 fur babies she shared with her beloved husband David Stephan.

She touched the lives of many in the area as well as the surrounding areas as a head start bus assistant/ teacher and later as a head teacher in the Mio area. Jill later pursued a teaching Bachelor’s Degree through L.S.S.U. In this pursuit, she was also an honor student at North Central Community College. She later became head teacher at the Mio Head Start. Jill waited tables for many years at the Lone Pine Restaurant. She married Mikel Stanley in 1999 who proceeded her in death in 2017. In 2018, Jill re-met her beloved husband David Stephan and married him shortly after. Jill loved the pure innocence of children and animals. She volunteered many hours at the Crawford County Animal Shelter; while her adoptive mother Dixie Lobsinger ran the shelter. Jill also enjoyed going camping in the area and in the Upper Peninsula with her Camping Family and was looking forward to the coming season in her little luxury hut. Jill was a proud Viking throughout her entire school years. She could be found very loud and proud cheering on the local teams in nearly every sport that had cheerleaders.

Jill is lovingly survived by her siblings, brothers Jack Clark Jr and wife Nora of Grayling, The other half of “twin power” Jason Clark and wife Nichole of Kalamazoo, and Sister Stephanie Estelle and Fiancé Shad LaBonte of Traverse City. Step-brothers of step-mother Sheryl Kay and Richard Kay of Williamsburg: Allen Brown and wife Julie of Traverse City, Brett Brown and wife Jill of Mesick. Also, step-siblings of step-mother Elaine Clark of Grayling: Phyllis Walsh of Holland, Mike Walsh of North Dakota, John Walsh of Grayling, and Patricia Martini of Cincinnati OH. Along with adoptive siblings Jeff and Missy Lobsinger, children of adoptive parents Dick and Dixie Lobsinger. Aunts Sharon Russell, JoAnn Nelson, and Janice Freeman as well as many cousins in the East Jordan/ Petoskey area. Jill also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, as well as the second coming with great nieces and nephews. Jill was known for her constant smile and warm presence in every room she entered. Her laugh was infectious and some of the best hugs in the world were in those arms. She will be missed, cherished and loved by many. Jilly’s path to heaven was paved by her Daddy, Jack Clark Sr. (2018), Husband, Mikel Stanley (2017), adoptive mother Dixie Lobsinger (2009), Grandparents, Herman and Sid Clark, Garnet and Patrick DesRochers.

Visitation will be held Sunday, May 9, 2021 from 1:00 pm until time of funeral service at 3:30 pm at Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home in Grayling. Condolences can be shared with Jill's family at www.sorensolockwood.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.