Betty Jane (Gilbert) Hirst, age 86 of Grant, passed away Monday, September 20, 2010 at the Spectrum Health - Gerber Memorial Hospital in Fremont following a short illness. Betty was born on April 4, 1924 in Grand Rapids to Fredrick and Rika (Lemmick) Bishoff and has been a lifelong resident of Grant. Betty married Clayton Cy Gilbert on September 8, 1946 in Grand Rapids and he preceded her in death on March 24, 1974. She later married George Hirst on August 6, 1981 in Grant and he preceded in death on April 26, 2001. Betty had been a bus driver for the Grant Public Schools for 20 years until her retirement and then enjoyed spending her winters in Zephyrhills, Florida. Betty was an avid golfer, enjoyed horses and horse shows, playing cards, cross stitch and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Betty is survived by her children, Barbara (Paul) Foster of Fremont; Fred (Shelly) Gilbert of Grand Rapids; Sally (Fred) Rosel of Ravenna; Tom (Tammy) Gilbert of Kent City; Art Gilbert of Kent City; Howard (Susan) Gilbert of Ravenna; Wes (Linda) Gilbert of Grant; Kim Osburn of Kent City; step daughter, Nora Jean (Cliff) Haff of Plainwell; 46 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 8 step children; several step grand and step great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her brothers, Robert and Bud Bishoff and 1 step son, Rollin Gilbert. VISITATION : Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 1:30 - 4:30pm at the Grant United Church of Christ 115 W. State Road Grant, MI. INTERMENT : Ashland Township Cemetery following cremation. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS : In lieu of flowers, please consider the Grant Athletic Boosters. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Hirst family online at www.crandellfh.com. Sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Betty Jane Gilbert Hirst. --The Galsterer family Posted 9/232010 Wes, Linda, Elizabeth & Dan and Clayton. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Gilbert family. With deepest sympathy, Robin & Ken Brown Posted 9/242010 Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time-------Jan and Ann Vanderberg Posted 9/26/2010