Lillian (Woods) Hilgeman

93 year old Lillian Woods Hilgeman departed this life on April 11, 2022 at Oakview Heights in Mt. Carmel, Illinois

Lillian was born on February 2, 1929, Southeast of Ellery, Illinois the second daughter of Charlie and Genevieve (Smith) Woods.  She grew up in the Mitchell community and attended Mitchell School.  She was a graduate of Albion Community High School.

Lillian married her high school sweetheart Charles W. “Skee” Hilgeman on July 22, 1950 and to this union was born one son, Charles W. “Chuck” Hilgeman Jr. Skee preceded her in death at the early age of 55 in 1985.

Lillian is survived by her son Charles “Chuck” (Terri) Hilgeman, 2 grandchildren; Kyle (Stacey) and Kate (Sam) and 4 great grandchildren; Kenley, Ava, Banks and Matalynn. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a sister and brother in law, Lugene and Kenneth Millar and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends as well.

Lillian then moved to Albion and continued working at the Burger Bar for several years.    She was a member of the Ellery Christian Church and later attended 1st Christian Church of Albion.  She moved to Acorn Estates in Mt. Carmel and was very happy there with several of her Albion friends.  In early spring 2020 during the COVID pandemic, she broke her femur and moved to Oakview Heights, where she then broke her shoulder. She recovered from these injuries and was able to return to her home at Acorn in August 2020. Recently she had to return to Oakview as her health was beginning to decline.

Lillian experienced many changes during her lifetime of 93 years; rural electricity and phone service to every home.  Radio, movies at the movie house, television, VCR and DVDs.  Improved roads and automobiles and transportation.  Farming practices from horses to huge tractors and equipment. Technology and computers.  Worldwide travel, wars and rumors of war. The depression, space exploration, cellphones, modern medical advancements.  The list could go on.

She was a treasured member of her community and more importantly, a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, cousin and friend. She enjoyed playing cards and games with her grandchildren and her friends at the “Seniors” as she called it. She enjoyed watching sports and enjoyed watching any kind of ball game.  She loved nature and birds, especially hummingbirds.  A ride to the country to check on the crops or gather a sprig of ivy or bittersweet was a usual Sunday afternoon event for her and her friends.  She lived a long and simple life and will be deeply missed by those who loved her.

Funeral services for Lillian Hilgeman will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Nale’s Funeral Home in Albion with burial to follow in Graceland Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to service time. Memorials may be made in her memory to the Edwards County Senior Citizens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.nalesfuneralhome.com. Nale’s Funeral Home is assisting the family

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