Obituary of Tina Marie Vail

Tina M. Vail, 59, of Niles, Michigan, passed away after a long battle with illness at Lakeland St. Joseph Hospital on November 28, 2021 She was born to the late Doran Stockton and JoAnn (Brumley) Hilliker on January 20th, 1962. Although Tina had been struggling with her health for quite some time, she never let her struggles affect the way she loved and cared for all those present in her life. She was about as selfless as a person could be and her family and friends can vouch for that. After twenty years of her life, Tina married the man she would love, respect, and cherish for the rest of her life. Keith and Tina were married on her family’s property in Niles on September 18, 1982, and have been inseparable ever since. One of Tina’s favorite things to do when she wasn’t working as a head housekeeper was travel. Tina and her husband traveled the country keeping an eye out for the most beautiful lighthouses they could find. Lighthouses had a special meaning to her, the action of guiding others to a safer place was something she valued and practiced herself. She was an excellent wife, mother, and friend, but the things she poured her heart into the most were animals. She spoiled any animal she came across, especially the birds. Over the years she had probably purchased a thousand pounds of bird feed. A special passion of hers was photography, not only did it bring her joy to capture memories, but she was extremely talented at it as well. Tina was also a holiday fanatic; setting up Christmas villages, carving pumpkins for Halloween, and putting together the most impressive spread for Thanksgiving were all things she took a lot of pride in. By nature, she was an excellent grandmother. She loved every second she had with her grandchildren and did everything she could to make them feel comfortable and happy. Her cookies and soup were a fan favorite, but most things that came out of her kitchen could turn a bad day around. The world needs more genuine caring people like Tina, she will be dearly missed by her friends, family, and all those who were fortunate enough to know her. Preceding Tina in passing are her parents, Lawrence and JoAnn Hilliker; her biological father, Doran Stockton; and her brother, Mathew Stockton, who passed away at a young age. She is survived by her loving husband, Keith Vail; her four children, Rebecca, Lawrence, and Keith Vail III, as well as her biological son, Michael Allen Stockton who had a very special place in her heart; she has six grandchildren and one on the way; one great-grandchild with another on the way; her brother, Doran Stockton; Sierra Barnes, her daughter-in-law; Tonya Baker her beloved niece; Linda Lewis her aunt; Sarah Purcell, whom she adopted in her heart as her own daughter; as well as many other family members and friends. Those wishing to make a memorial donation may donate directly to Keith Vail, Tina’s husband. Services to celebrate Tina’s life will be held at the Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Friday, December 3, 2021, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. and services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Tina will be laid to rest at the Coulters Chapel Cemetery in Niles.