Donald Francis Hilby
February 24, 1938 — October 17, 2009
Donald Francis Hilby, 71, of Manchester died Saturday, October 17, 2009 at home following a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 21 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester. Family will greet friends from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 20 with a 7:30 p.m. Scripture Service at the Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manchester, and one hour before services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Manchester.
Donald was born February 24, 1938 in Manchester, the son of Theodore F. and Catherine C. (Heer) Hilby. He attended Prairie Country School, later graduating from Manchester High School in 1956. Donald served with the United States Army from 1956 to 1960. Following discharge from the army, he worked for Quaker Oats and Clark Construction, before buying the farm in 1961. On April 24, 1965, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Faust at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Strawberry Point.
Donald was a long time member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Masonville, recently joining St. Mary’s. He loved sports, enjoyed going to the boat and traveling with friends. His greatest joy was his family, especially playing with and watching his grandchildren play. He was proud of his children and proud that he was able to purchase the farm on his own. Donald was the first state wrestling qualifier from Manchester High School.
Donald is survived by his wife, Mary Hilby of Manchester, LaRae (John) Koopmann of Delhi, Joyce (Mike) Berg of Delhi, Rick (Roni) Hilby of Manchester, Kim (Matt) Barber of North Liberty, and Jane (Jason) Groskurth of Dundee; eight grandchildren, Kali, Trevor, and Trent Koopmann, Joshua, Hailey, Olivia, and Ryan Hilby, and Zadok Barber; brothers and sisters, Kenneth Hilby of Manchester, Iva (Harold) Sperfslage of Mesa, AZ, Gerald Hilby of Cedar Rapids; and in-laws, Dorothy Hilby, Merle Oppermann, Kenneth (Faye) Faust, Edward (Lois) Faust, and Lillian (Roger) Satterlee, Carolyn Williams (special friend, Steve), Marilyn (Ira) Voshell, and Janice (Wayne) Larson.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Catherine Hilby; siblings, Bertilla Hilby, Francis Hilby, Grace (Cletus) Hargrafen, Berniece (Lawrence) Wulfekuhle, Joseph Hilby, Robert Hilby, Ronald “Pete” Hilby, and John Hilby.
Please sign the online guestbook for Donald at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 21 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester. Family will greet friends from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 20 with a 7:30 p.m. Scripture Service at the Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manchester, and one hour before services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Manchester.
Donald was born February 24, 1938 in Manchester, the son of Theodore F. and Catherine C. (Heer) Hilby. He attended Prairie Country School, later graduating from Manchester High School in 1956. Donald served with the United States Army from 1956 to 1960. Following discharge from the army, he worked for Quaker Oats and Clark Construction, before buying the farm in 1961. On April 24, 1965, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Faust at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Strawberry Point.
Donald was a long time member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Masonville, recently joining St. Mary’s. He loved sports, enjoyed going to the boat and traveling with friends. His greatest joy was his family, especially playing with and watching his grandchildren play. He was proud of his children and proud that he was able to purchase the farm on his own. Donald was the first state wrestling qualifier from Manchester High School.
Donald is survived by his wife, Mary Hilby of Manchester, LaRae (John) Koopmann of Delhi, Joyce (Mike) Berg of Delhi, Rick (Roni) Hilby of Manchester, Kim (Matt) Barber of North Liberty, and Jane (Jason) Groskurth of Dundee; eight grandchildren, Kali, Trevor, and Trent Koopmann, Joshua, Hailey, Olivia, and Ryan Hilby, and Zadok Barber; brothers and sisters, Kenneth Hilby of Manchester, Iva (Harold) Sperfslage of Mesa, AZ, Gerald Hilby of Cedar Rapids; and in-laws, Dorothy Hilby, Merle Oppermann, Kenneth (Faye) Faust, Edward (Lois) Faust, and Lillian (Roger) Satterlee, Carolyn Williams (special friend, Steve), Marilyn (Ira) Voshell, and Janice (Wayne) Larson.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Catherine Hilby; siblings, Bertilla Hilby, Francis Hilby, Grace (Cletus) Hargrafen, Berniece (Lawrence) Wulfekuhle, Joseph Hilby, Robert Hilby, Ronald “Pete” Hilby, and John Hilby.
Please sign the online guestbook for Donald at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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