Obituaries : Clarence D. Hilner

Clarence D. Hilner

VINTON - Clarence Daniel Hilner, 88, of Geneseo, Illinois, formerly of Vinton, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2015, at Good Samaritan Village in Geneseo. Per his request, cremation rites have been accorded.
A memorial service with military rites will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the Vinton Presbyterian Church with Gene Spicer officiating.
Clarence was born Aug. 29, 1926, in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of William and Frances Coker Hilner. He proudly served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. Clarence was united in marriage to Beverly J. Bowser on Dec. 4, 1955, in Lawrence. He worked as a machine operator at B.L. Anderson in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later as a welder at Hawk Bilt in Vinton.
Clarence was a 50-year member of Vinton Presbyterian Church in Vinton. He was a collector of trivets and SAD Irons, a hobby which introduced him to new friends all over the world. He was a member of the Midwest SAD Irons Collectors Club.
His greatest joy was his family.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Beverly, of Geneseo, IL; sons, LeRoy (Mary) Hilner of Many, LA, and Bruce (Janet) Hilner of Paola, KS; daughters, Wanda (Dan) Holtz of Geneseo, IL, and Kay Harrison of Manchester, MO; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a brother, Gene Hopkins of McLouth, KS.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.
Memorials may be directed to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight or the Vinton Presbyterian Church.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Clarence and his family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.