Christina Diane Shilling

After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Christina Diane Shilling, 46, went peacefully from her family’s arms into the arms of Jesus. She was born in Panorama City, CA on March 6, 1974 to Herbert Gale and Julia (Muller) Shilling. In 1992, she graduated from Clare High School in Clare, Michigan. Christina continued her education at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education with a unique opportunity to student teach in Perth, Western Australia. Australia would be just the beginning of her love of traveling. She began her teaching career with Athens Area Schools, completing her Masters in Arts degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2001. Her passion for teaching and her students continued for 24 years, touching the lives of many students, their families, and her colleagues. Christina’s Christian faith brought her to Woodland Church in Battle Creek where she served as a small group leader and created many lifelong friendships. Combining her love of traveling with the mission field, she helped after Katrina and in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Mexico. In addition to traveling for education and mission work, Christina loved to travel across the United States and internationally. Her kindness, sense of humor and smile that “lit up the room” are what friends and family will tell you impacted them the most. She made lifelong friends through the YMCA senior pool group, church activities, and work colleagues over the years. Christina is survived by her mother Julia Shilling; her sisters: Lori (Todd) Palmer from Clare and Melissa Humbyrd from Rochester Hills; her nieces and nephews: Nathan (Lark) Palmer and Leah Palmer; Anna and Ben Humbyrd; and her great nephew Jeremy Palmer. She was preceded in death by her father, Herbert Gale; her maternal grandparents Jan and Cathy Muller; and her paternal grandparents Herbert J. and Maxine Shilling. Visitation and services will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at the Brown Corners United Brethren Church. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. until the time of service at 4 P.M. with Rev. Lee Palmer officiating. Memorial contributions are suggested to the AACF – Christina Shilling Scholarship. Arrangements were handled by the Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home. On-line guestbook at www.stephenson-wyman.com

Christina Diane Shilling

March 6, 1974 - January 18, 2021