Joseph C. Hilligas 1892-1980

HILLIGAS, FORCE, SHANKS, LOSCHEN, KELLERMAN, MYERS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/8/2008 at 10:28:15

Obit. Files; Poweshiek Co. IA Gene. Society

JOSEPH C. HILLIGAS

Joseph Carl Hilligas, 88, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 1980, at Grinnell General Hospital, following a brief hospitalization. He had been a resident of Brookhaven the past two years having lived in Grinnell since 1949.

The son of Frank and Mary Force Hilligas he was born June 17, 1892 near Brooklyn. He attended the rural school near the family farm and during WWI served in the U.S. Navy. Following his discharge from service he married Leona Priscilla Shanks in Des Moines on January 9, 1922 and they continued to farm in the Brooklyn area until moving to Grinnell. He worked for the city for 11 years before retiring in 1960. He enjoyed work and helping friends and neighbors in removing snow and doing lawn and home work. He was a member of Focht-Tennant Post 53, Grinnell American Legion.

He was preceded by his wife who died June 9, 1973, and five brothers, Thomas, Harry, Charles, John and Fred Hilligas, and one sister, Hazel Loschen.

He is survived by a son, Gerald E. Hilligas of Cicero, Ill., three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a brother, William of Prairie City, and two sisters, Mrs. Belle Kellerman of Wesphalia, Kan., and Mrs. Floyd (Vivian) Myers of Newton.

Services were held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday from Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell, with Rev. Robert C. Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating. Organist was Mrs. Kathleen Heffner. Burial was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Brooklyn, with military rites by Edwin M. Richardson, chaplain, and members of Grinnell Veterans Ceremonial Unit.