Jill Renee (Redfield-Overmyer) Brook

( December 28, 1966 - May 26, 2014 )

Jill Renee Redfield Brook, 47, passed away on Monday, May 26, 2014 after a courageous, 14 month long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She is now dancing in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….she has been made whole! Jill is survived by her son Nathaniel G. Overmyer [and his father, Len,] brother Mark (Tami) Redfield, nephews, Beau and Benny Redfield, niece, Elizabeth Redfield, and many, many friends and family [including Tim Kyser, Melissa Szymanski, Kristen Kelcher, Lori Blevens, Nathan Pigowski, etc] . She is also survived by her step-sisters, Julie (Tom) Greiner, Patty (Mark) Walsworth and Kristina (Kurt) Whitehouse, as well as numerous aunts and uncles. [Including Aunt Sue McCary (Cousins Joy & Frank), Aunt Ruth (Bullard), Uncles Dave & Woody Bullard,] She was preceded in death by her father, Sidney W. Redfield; her mother, Carolyn H. Morris [Bullard] and step –father, Lawrence M. Morris; and father-in-law, Leonard Overmyer. Jill loved the outdoors. One of her greatest joys was spending time camping, hiking and kayaking with her son Nathaniel. {She also took trips to Maine, Watkins Glen NY, Canada, and Hawaii} She was a creative Graphic Designer who had taught design at the college level, [Kendall College & GVSU] but had changed careers and was employed at Jay's Sporting Goods in Gaylord where she could share her love and expertise of the outdoors with others. A Memorial Service was held at Gaylord Evangelical Free Church 1649 E M 32, Gaylord, MI on Monday, June 16th, 2014. ... In lieu of flowers, donations to the Morris-Redfield West Michigan Charitable Fund help families who are dealing with cancer.....

- Jill was an alumni of Manistee High School (where she was all-state basketball and track); Northwestern Community College (Traverse City); and Kendall College of Art & Design. She was also certified in Orton-Gillingham (SLD Learning). Jill lived for a time with her Grandparents in Wellston, MI: Howard and Maxine (St. John) Redfield. She was a gifted artist and also a fantastic cook (esp. her Cherry-Rhubarb pies). She loved to: fish, camp, & kayak; Hiking [especially the Manistee woods or Magoon Creek, Sleeping Bear Lakeshore (Shell Lake & Otter Creek), or Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness], cross-country skiing, and hunting deer, morel mushrooms, beach glass [Sundling Park], pumpkins, Christmas trees, and strawberries; Her Labrador dog, Ranger; Manistee Forest Festival or Sleigh-bell Parade; Attending her bird-feeders and watching the cardinals & squirrels, dragon & fireflies near her pond; Spring Peepers, Northern Lights, camp fires under the stars, cold little rabbits, fuzzy socks, cold sips and kisses in the rain. A Beautiful Life! A Wonderful Mother, and her legacy in Art & Design / Innovation Management is being carried on by her many students...

{From Kendall College of Art & Design Summer 2014 News & Notes: "In Memoriam - The President's Office was notified of the passing of former Graphic Design professor Jill Brook (Overmyer). Jill came to KCAD in 2004 after many years as a professor at Grand Valley State University and helped the Graphic Design program develop a new curriculum during that time, working with other faculty members to build the program into what it is today. She spent a number of semesters serving as a term-appointed full-time faculty member and also served as the program's Chair. She was a favorite professor of KCAD students for many years and was highly respected across the campus..."}- Jill was also noted for her support of sustainability and the environment, public transportation, CHADD, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Art Festival (Art Prize), SBDNL Port Oneida Fair, and many other outdoor and artistic related activities. (In her youth, had also attended Camp Interlochen)http://camp.interlochen.org/