Lillian Ruth Easter MacDonald

Lillian Ruth Easter MacDonald, age 87, of Grants Pass, peacefully passed away November 30, 2025 at her home and went to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ after a battle with cancer.

Lillian was born to Charles and Ruth Schumacher, June 10, 1938, in Los Angeles, California. She was the eldest of three children and was blessed with a wonderful childhood, played the violin in school and was a girl scout. Lillian graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1956, and attended Pierce College in Los Angeles.

Animals were always a passion for her. Amongst the most beloved pets was her black lab Suzie; her Persian cat Wuzzie and most recently her constant companion, Smokie cat.

Lillan married Paul Gutzman in 1957 and began family life at Adohr Farms in Camarillo, California, where she raised her three children, Sharon, Cindy and Paul Gutzman. The family moved to Oregon in 1971. After divorcing Paul, Lillian married Bruce Easter in 1975. Together they finished raising his five children and her three.

Lillian and Bruce kept busy with their numerous rental properties and projects and enjoyed time together until his death in 2015. In April, 2018 Lillian married Paul MacDonald, who survives her. She and Paul loved attending local plays and visiting the beautiful Oregon coast.

Lillian will be greatly missed and cherished by all that knew and loved her. We are comforted by knowing we will see her again in heaven where many loved ones, including her best friend Frankie, will be rejoicing with her in glory. Her greatest hope was for all of her family to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and be reunited one day again, with her, in heaven.

Lillian was a member of Merlin Community Baptist Church for the past 50 years.

Her hobbies included gardening, caring for her animals, and enjoying family and nature in God's creation. She also liked the adventure of finding a good yard sale!

She is survived by her husband Paul MacDonald; sister Darlene Cochran; children Cindy Horban, Paul Gutzman; stepchildren Bruce Easter, Jr., Randall Easter, Don Easter, Richard Easter, and Sharon Cort; 17 grandchildren Deanna Williams, Michael Freudenthaler, Raquel Olson, Jadd Horban, Tiffany Baida, Paul Gutzman, Krystle Phelan, Stephen Easter, Ryan Easter, Marty Easter, Jeffrey Easter, Donnie Easter, Lynda Easter, Richie Easter, Kayla Easter, Chandler Cort and Maddy Cort; 27 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Lillian is preceded in death by her husband Bruce Easter; daughter Sharon Fisher; brother Chuck Schumacher; and her parents Charles & Ruth Schumacher.

A celebration of life is planned for 1:00 pm, January 10, 2026, at Merlin Community Baptist Church.

Please share a memory of Lillian in her Guestbook.