Gary Hilmer

GARY GAIL HILMER

Vinton

Gary Gail Hilmer, 77, died suddenly Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, at his residence in Vinton due to a heart attack. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Vinton Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jessica Crane-Munoz officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, also at the church. Committal services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Westview Cemetery, La Porte City, with military rites performed by George G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 of Vinton and the Air Force Honor Guard.

Gary was born July 1, 1938, in rural Garrison, Iowa, the son of Harry August and Vona Irene Loveless Hilmer. He graduated from Washington High School in Vinton. Gary proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He completed his basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, and was then stationed in England. On Feb. 10, 1962, Gary was united in marriage with Margaret Winifred Iliffe in Leicester, England. She preceded him in death on June 4, 2015.

When Gary returned to Vinton after his military service, he worked for the city of Vinton. He began a 37-year career at the Vinton Post Office in 1962, retiring in March 1999. He later spent his retirement helping others as a valet for Virginia Gay Hospital (although the job was more for socializing than work). He began this position in 2008 and continued until his death.

Gary was a 50-plus-year member of the Vinton Presbyterian Church and the church and his church family held a special place in his heart. He and his wife were the custodians and maintenance crew for over 30 years. He also served as an elder and on several church boards, including memorials and buildings and grounds. He faithfully attended adult Sunday school every week.

Gary was a great storyteller and loved spending time with his grandchildren, taking them fishing and attending their sporting events. He enjoyed driving the train at Vinton's Party in the Park and reading the Bible and spy novels. He could never resist a good pork tenderloin. Gary's other hobby was traveling. He liked to travel by train, but planes took Gary and his family to Hawaii for his and Margaret's 40th anniversary, England and Scotland. Stateside, he toured Branson, Mo.; Panama City, Fla.; New York, Denver and Chicago. Family was very important to Gary and fond memories included all of them being together for his and Margaret's 50th anniversary and daughter Sharon's 50th birthday a year ago.

Gary is survived by one son, Andy (Sharon) Hilmer of LaGrange, Ky.; three daughters, Becky (Brad) Stainbrook of Vinton, Sharon (Chad) Fleming of Yorkville, Ill., and Deborah (Jeff) Obermeyer of Henderson, Colo.; 11 grandchildren, Emily and Benjamin Turner, Alexandrea and Nicholas Hilmer, Benjamin, Bethany and Brian Stainbrook, Haley and Somer Anderson, Shiley Christopher (Rachel) Johnson and Allyson (Matt) Weitzel; and four great-grandchildren, Ainsley and Nolah Johnson and Madison and Moira Weitzel.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Margaret.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Vinton Presbyterian Church or Virginia Gay Hospital.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Gary and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.