Hillman, Verne Russell (1894-1987)

HILLMAN, WHERRY, GRIER, SHEARS

Posted By: Don Wherry (email)
Date: 4/12/2011 at 01:24:51

VERNE RUSSELL HILLMAN

Verne Russell Hillman, 92, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on March 2 in St. Lukess Hospital at Cedar Rapids.

He was born April 8, 1894, the son of William Harlan and Ida Wherry Hillman who were living in Lincoln Township, Poweshiek County.

He was graduated from Deep River High School and from Iowa State College (now ISU), Ames, with a B. S. degree in Agricultural Engineering. He later received an M. S. degree in Agricultural Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute at Blacksburg.

He married Martha Grier, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Grier, Aug. 9, 1924 at Deep River. They lived in Manhattan, Kan., where Verne taught Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State. A similar position followed at Virginia Polytechnic at Blacksburg, Va.

From 1936 to 1954 Verne worked with the Federal and State Conservation Services in five Southeastern states, living in Charlottesville and Danville, Va., and Spartanburg, S. C. From 1954 to 1961 they lived in Bogor West Java, Indonesia, where Verne had received a U. S. Foreign Service appointment. In 1961, after seven years of foreign service, Verne retired and they returned to their home in Blacksburg.

In 1983 they moved to Meth-Wick Manor, in Cedar Rapids. He was a Rotarian, a 60-year member of the Masonic Blue Lodge - Hunters Lodge #156 at Blacksburg, Blacksburg Chapter Royal Arch #65, Blacksburg Commandry Knights Templer #32, Kazim Temple of Shrine at Roanoke, Va., Scottish Rite 32 degree at Roanoke and Easter Star - Ingles #96 at Blacksburg. He was also an active member of the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Cecil, and one sister, Margaret.

Verne is survived by his wife, Martha of Cedar Rapids; one daughter and her husband Helen and William Shears of Wise, Va.; one son and his wife, Dr. Charles and Bettye Hillman of Johnson City, Tenn.; five grandchildren: Charles William Shears, Martha Jane Shears, Ian Andrew Shears, James Boyer Hillman and Nancy Grier Hillman; one brother Harlan J. Hillman of Jefferson City, Mo., and nieces , nephews and many other relatives and friends.

Services were March 6 at Watts Funeral Home, Montezuma, with the Rev. Robert Dennert officiating.

Music was "How Great Thou Art" by Carol Dale and Marilyn Warwick, and "All The Way My Savior Leads Me", and "Amazing Grace" by Verla Van Dee, organist.

Casket bearers were Perry Grier, John Service, James Hillman, Phillip Grier, Casey Pierce, and Burdette Cranston.

Masonic graveside rites were by Lafayette Lodge No. 52 of Montezuma. Interment was in Golden Rod Cemetery, Deep River.

- Brooklyn Chronicle(?), March 11(?), 1987