ADELIA (PITMAN) HILLIKER

PITMAN, HILLIKER, LINDSEY, GARDNER, CASTER, NELSON, HUTCHINSON

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 5/13/2002 at 23:22:29

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, May l9, l92l

MRS. ADELIA PITMAN HILLIKER was born August l0, l860, near Pleasanton, Iowa, and died at her home in Des Moines, Iowa, May l8, l92l, after an extended illness. She would have been 6l years of age on her next birthday.

MRS. HILLIKER was the second daughter of MR. and MRS. E.K. PITMAN and moved with her parents to Leon shortly after the close of the Civil War when she was yet a small child. Here she attended the graded schools until sixteen years of age. When about fourteen years of age she united with the Christian Church of Leon, and was a member here for many years, later transferring her membership to the Church at Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Forty-six years ago at Princeton, Mo., she was married to H.A. HILLIKER, of Leon. They made their home here and in the country nearby for several years, then moved to Mount Ayr and from there to Des Moines, where they have resided for the past twenty-three years with the exception of about one year which they spent in Leon. This year's residence in the old home town, among childhood friends and loving relatives, was among the happiest of her later years of life.

To MR. and MRS. HILLIKER were born four children, a daughter, MAUDE, who died in infancy, three sons, CHARLES E., FRED B., and NELSON L., all of whom reside in Des Moines. All were present at the funeral with the father, except the older son, CHARLES, who is a confirmed invalid. During the last few years MRS. HILLIKER devoted much of her time to assistance in the care of this son. Previous to the beginning of his illness, she had for several years had the care of her husband's aged invalid mother, and with the tender-hearted and unselfish devotion so characteristic of her, she no doubt greatly overtaxed her strength and contributed the rapid progress of the malady which finally caused her demise.

Almost two years ago, MRS. HILLIKER began to fail in health and her decline was rapid. A year ago she sustained a complete breakdown and the first of two hospital operations was undergone. The operations and ministrations of two skilled specialists and competent nurses, coupled with tender home care, prolonged her life for months. Pernicious anemia was the malady from which she suffered and for weeks past MRS. HILLIKER, as well as all the relatives, knew that the end was inevitable and not far away. She was perfectly resigned and willing to go, only grieving that she must leave her dear ones, especially the invalid son to whom his mother was a comforting, sympathizing pal until her own health gave way.

MRS. HILLIKER was a woman who cared little for social activities but found her greatest pleasure with her own people and close friends. Her deep attachment to her family was often remarked and the death of her older sister, MRS. METTIE P. LINDSEY, two months ago, was the cause of great sorrow to her and doubtless hastened the end. One of the solaces and comforts of her last days was the thought and the firm assurance that she would soon be re-united with the sister she loved so well.

Let us hope that a joyful reunion has taken place on the Golden Shore of that River of Everlasting Life.

Besides her own family, mentioned above, MRS. HILLIKER leaves a sister and brother, MRS. ORRA GARDNER, of Leon, Iowa and E.K. PITMAN, of Northwood, Iowa, two step-brothers, J.M. and J.A. CASTER, of Leon, a niece, MRS. LOUISE NELSON, of Globe, Arizona, IRENE HILLIKER, granddaughter, and a number of other relatives in and near Leon.

Funeral services were held at the Church of Christ, Saturday afternoon, conducted by P.H. Green, at 3 p.m. A large concourse of former friends and neighbors were present in sympathy with the bereaved and to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of her they loved. The floral offerings by relatives and friends were profuse and beautiful. Favorite hymns were sung by a quartet: Miss Ollie Foxworthy, Mrs. Cline, Mrs. Boone, and Mrs. Ollie Caster. The pall bearers were as follows: Lester, Earl, Lynn and Arthur Gardner, nephews, Harl Pitman and Lester Hutchinson. Interment in Leon Cemetery.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu
May l3, 2002