Melbourne "Buck" Hill (1918-2002)

HILL, HOBEN, JOHNSON, NELSON, NEREM, OPPEDAHL, PHELPS, TROLLINGER

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:59

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Wednesday, September 18, 2002
Page 6, Columns 4 & 5

MELBOURNE HILL

Melbourne Hill died Sunday, September 15, 2002, at the Emmetsburg Care Center, Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 83.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille Hill, Emmetsburg; four step-children, Robert and Marge Phelps, and Russel Phelps, Inman, S. C., Shirley Trollinger, McCIoud, Okla., and Vic and Judy Johnson, Emmetsburg; four step-grandchildren; and 17 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters Gemima Nelson, Harriet Johnson, Georgia Oppedahl, and Pearl Nerem; and three brothers, Orville, Gaylord, and Clifford.

Melbourne "Buck" Hill, was born June. 23, 1918, to Earl and Carrie (Johnson) Hill, on a homestead in Gorham, North Dakota. He was baptized July 28, 1918, and moved with his family to Eagle Grove, Iowa, where he attended school in the Eagle Grove school system. He was confirmed in the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church on May 14, 1933. In 1942, he was inducted into the U. S. Army and was assigned to the 713th Railway Operating Battalion where he served as the Commander's driver. He was a veteran of the North Africa, Sicily and Italian Campaigns, Normandy, France, and Germany. Following the war, he returned to Eagle Grove where he worked as a farmer and carpenter. In 1954, he went to work for Erickson Manufacturing, retiring in 1983. On March 11, 1972, he married Lucille Hoben of Emmetsburg. They resided in Eagle Grove where they were members of the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church, the American Legion, and V.F.W. They traveled extensively.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 18, at 11 a.m., at the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held in the Evergreen Cemetery in Emmetsburg. Joyce Funeral Home of Emmetsburg is charge of arrangements.

June 23, 1918 - September 15, 2002