Norene Hilliker (Covell)
Norene Hilliker (Covell), 64, of Tower, died at home, unexpectedly, Friday February 21, 2020. The daughter of John and Margaret (Montgomery) Jones, Norene was born October 8, 1955 in Jackson. She married Oscar D. Hilliker in Onaway in 1972 and to their union five sons were born. She later married Ron “Ronnie” Covell who preceded her in death in 2018.
A homemaker and stay-at-home mom, Norene was a loving mother. Of course, raising five boys at times was quite challenging and Norene did her best through trial and error and instinct to keep her rough-and-tumble boys in line. She had to be strict, but was also understanding and forgiving. She embraced her boys’ energy, bought lots of snacks, and mended many holes in the knees of jeans as well as sewed clothing for her brood of little men. Norene’s greatest life accomplishment was raising five boys to be hardworking, respectable, good guys.
Norene loved good music and dancing. She enjoyed listening to her husband, Ronnie, in his band and was always with him wherever he happened to be playing. Norene enjoyed shooting pool and was on the women’s pool league at the Metropole Bar for many years. She had a tender spot in her heart for animals, especially dogs, and donated whenever she could to the humane society. Sunday was always a special day for Norene when she, her former husband and good friend, Oscar, and son, Oscar, watched movies together. A bit bold and cheeky, Norene was known to speak her mind and never hesitated to let others know what she thought. She had a great sense of humor, loved to joke around and was a bit of a smart aleck. She absolutely loved it when someone had a gutsy comeback for her or teased her in good fun. Norene’s feisty attitude and her love for her sons will be fondly remembered.
Surviving Norene are her five sons, Brian (Tina) Hilliker of Onaway, Delmar Hilliker of Sarasota, Florida, Oscar B. Hilliker of Oden, Nick (Ashlie) Hilliker of Onaway and Korey Hilliker (Beth Schwager) of Bridgeport; nine grandchildren; as well as her former husband and good friend, Oscar Hilliker of Onaway. Norene also leaves her brothers, Brad and Bub Jones, both of Jackson; a sister, Sue Woods of Kansas; and many nieces and nephews. Norene was preceded in death by her parents; several brothers and sisters; and her former husband, Ron Covell.
Cremation arrangements were in care of the Chagnon Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Forest Township Hall (Tower Hall) at 3 p.m. Saturday March 7. Norene’s final resting place will be in Atlanta at Briley Township Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Norene to her family to help with final expenses.