Doris Gordon

With a delightful smile and a heart filled with gratitude, Doris Lillian (Hageman) Gordon lived a life rich in faith and service. Doris embodied the principles of her faith, greeting each day as a gift and every person as a friend. She loved learning, and though proper and stubborn, she was also friendly and a pleasant conversationalist. Whether devoting herself to her career and family, traveling, or playing the piano, Doris welcomed opportunities to grow, learn, and share her time and talents with others. Cherished by many, Doris will long be remembered and so very missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, 1930 beheld a power of hope that undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in the hearts and home of Carl and Lillian (Johnson) Hageman as they welcomed their daughter to their family on May 5 in Chicago, Illinois.

The only child of her parents' union, Doris attended Clara Barton School in Chicago from Kindergarten through 8th grade. After graduating from Chicago Christian High School in 1948, she pursued her bachelor's degree at Wheaton College. With signature discipline and focus on fulfilling her goals, Doris graduated with her degree in education in 1952.

A few months later, she officially launched her 35-year career teaching first grade in Markham, Illinois. After three years, she began working for the public schools in Blue Island, Illinois. By the end of her career, she taught first grade for 24 years and third grade for 11 years. During that time, she also returned to school and earned her Master of Education from the National College of Education. Doris also loved hymns and played the organ and piano for the churches she attended.

In 1990, while attending a Moody Keswick Bible Conference in Florida, Doris met Delbert "Keith" Gordon. Recently widowed, Keith maintained a sense of humor and the ability to always look on the positive side of things. Instantly smitten with one another, the pair began dating. Just nine months later, the happy couple married on September 15, 1990, at the Elim Evangelical Free Church in Oaklawn.

After honeymooning by exploring the start of the fall season in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin, the newlyweds settled in with Doris' mother for a year while their new home in Waterman, Illinois, was being built. Doris and Keith enjoyed living in Keith's hometown for many years. In 2004, Doris and Keith decided to move to West Michigan to be closer to Keith's children and grandchildren and settled into the community at Covenant Village of the Great Lakes in Grand Rapids. They made many dear and close friendships in their new community and enjoyed one another's good company.

During their 28-year marriage, Doris and Keith enjoyed traveling, including many trips to Florida. Doris loved researching her heritage and making trips to explore her family's history. Her passion for learning about her ancestors took her to Sweden, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany. She especially enjoyed a special Christian Heritage Tour of England, Wales, and Scotland, traveling almost 3,000 miles by tour bus.

Without a doubt, Doris proved a powerful role model for how to live a full and contented life. Her love for her family, unwavering faith, commitment to service, eagerness to learn, and engaging conversation will long inspire all who were blessed to know her.

Doris L. Gordon, age 93, passed away peacefully June 8, 2023. Doris was born May 5, 1930, in Chicago, IL, to the late Carl and Lillian (Johnson) Hageman. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Keith Gordon; stepdaughters, Sherry Wessels and Sandra Simmons; stepson, Kevin Gordon; and step-great-grandson, Aaron Jackson. Doris is survived by her step-grandchildren, Brent (Jan) Wessels, Scott (Mindy) Wessels, Jodi (Ron) DeVree, John (Janet) Jackson, Adam (Ellen) Simmons, Khloe (Steven) Gordon Wei, Kooper Gordon; several step-great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-great-grandsons; and step-daughter-in-law, Karin Gordon. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with family beginning at 10 AM. Inurnment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Worth, IL. Memorials may be made to Wheaton College or First Evangelical Covenant Church.