Hilligas, Michael Cloyd 1950 - 2023

HILLIGAS, GRIFFIN, SNIDER, STRATTON, SPEER, KRIEGEL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/26/2023 at 12:00:53

Michael Cloyd Hilligas, 72, of Calmar, passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

He was born in lowa City, IA on November 18, 1950, to the late Charles Jr. and Betty Jean (Griffin) Hilligas. Michael's childhood was spent in Brooklyn, IA. where he was raised by his grandparents, the late Charles Sr, and Helen Hilligas. When he was 17, he moved to California and lived with his mother for a short period.

Before becoming 18 in 1968 and enlisting in the United States Marine Corp that he had looked forward to for a longtime. He took his USMC training in San Diego and Camp Pendleton Ca. before being transferred to his first assignment in Washington, DC. These were Viet Nam era times, and he was anxious to see action and soon asked for a war time assignment in Viet Nam. He was an ammunition truck driver and experienced many months of war time exposure. In 1970 he returned from Viet Nam and was discharged. He returned to the USC reserves in 1976. Michael was a proud marine. Once a marine always a marine. After his military service Michael worked at many general labor jobs primarily in landscaping, mowing and various handyman capacities. Michael was disabled by the effects of agent orange and other traumatic aspects of serving in wartime Viet Nam. Nevertheless, he enjoyed his life immensely with his work and his hobbies of fishing and puttering with various tools and machinery.

Michael is survived by his sister Bonita (Darrel) Snider of Coshocton, OH, aunt and uncle Don and Peggy Hilligas of Brooklyn, IA., Aunt Sandra Stratton of Marengo, IA and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Hilligas Jr and Betty Jean Speer, grandparents Charles Sr and Helen Hilligas, uncle and aunt Richard and Pat Hilligas, uncle Leo Stratton, and Cousin Donetta Kriegel.

He will be greatly missed by two special friends in Calmar IA, Diana Rickard and Sue Scullen plus many other friends and acquaintances.

Michael has been cremated and a military service will be conducted at a later date.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database