Obituary of John Hilliard

John Robert Hilliard, the son of Dwight and Esther (Dempsie) Hilliard, was born on January 25, 1940 in Spirit Lake, IA. His early years were spent in Montgomery, IA, attending school there until the 8th grade. He then went on to graduate from Spirit Lake High School in 1958. On June 10, 1967, John was united in marriage to Marlys Bragg. The couple lived in the Ocheyedan and Lake Park, IA areas. Marlys passed away in February of 1971. John worked as a salesman for Louscher Motors in Lake Park before entering into the trucking business. He drove truck for Mallenger Trucking of Otto, IA, owned his own grain truck and went to work with his father, and later drove for Rohlin Construction, Inc. of Estherville. John retired in 2000 due to declining health. He passed away at the Lakes Regional Health Center in Spirit Lake, IA on July 31, 2006. John enjoyed outdoor sports, including baseball games, watching wildlife, hunting and fishing. His faithful companions were his cats “Pretty Boy” and “Mimi”. He was known for his good sense of humor, often joking and teasing with his family and friends. He was an associate member of AA. Survivors include his mother: Esther Hilliard of Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake; one sister: Evy Billings and her husband Kenneth of Estherville, IA; two sisters-in-law: Marlys Frazier of Altoona, IA, and Diane Christoffer of Spirit Lake, IA; other relatives and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Dwight; two brothers: Jim and DeWayne; his grandparents: Joe and Lydia Dempsie and John F. and Gladys Hilliard; and an infant nephew, Wayne.