Jill Huelskamp

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved mother, Jill Huelskamp.

Jill was born in 1944 in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Betty Turner and Charles Hendricks, and the stepdaughter of Henry “Hank” Martin. With early thoughts of becoming a journalist, she had an inquisitive spirit that she carried with her throughout her life.

In 1963, at age 19, Jill married Bruce Schindel in Upper Sandusky. Together, they celebrated three children. In 1985, Jill married Bill Smith in Dayton, together they were blessed with one child. Her kids were her absolute pride and joy, and she delighted in seeing them all thrive, boasting to anyone willing to listen.

In 1994, Jill confirmed her true-life partner when she married Paul Huelskamp. Jill and Paul shared 32 devoted years of marriage in Miami County. There they were active members of St. Patrick Catholic Church, their Miami East community, and multiple local social groups. Jill would happily volunteer and assist where she could. She always looked forward to outings with her lunch bunch, her travel buddies, her euchre group and book club.

In her passing, she was surrounded, in care, comfort and peace, by Paul, her kids and in the thoughts and prayers of family and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce, Bill and sister, Ann Hopp.

Jill lived life on her terms. She wore many hats and went through just as many transformations. Perhaps her greatest gift was an open heart; she never knew a stranger. She was a true creative, entrepreneur, volunteer, comic, and artisan who was always working out the details of her next great idea.

As the proud mother to four children, five stepchildren, a doting Nana to 19 grandchildren, and a loving GG to 18 great-grandchildren, Jill’s legacy has been etched into the generations she fiercely loved and has left everyone who knew her with memories to be carried on in their hearts forever.

She was strong, feisty, and sometimes stubborn…we all miss her terribly.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on October 12, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Troy with interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM on October 11, 2026, at Baird Funeral Home in Troy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the mission work of Fr. Michael Samala. Donations can be made to M. Michael Samala, In care of Fifth Third Bank, 825 West Market Street, Troy, OH 45373. Condolences may be expressed to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com