Melvin Hillmer

Melvin Herman Hillmer, age 83, of Lytton, IA, passed away suddenly on Saturday, September 8, 2012, at Dolliver Memorial State Park, in Lehigh, IA, while camping with his family. Melvin was born on June 20, 1929, to Herman Henry and Clara (Lange) Hillmer on the family farm where he currently lived. He was baptized and later confirmed his faith on March 29, 1942, by the Rev. H. C. Gold, at Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton and graduated from Lytton High School in 1946.

On November 27, 1949, he married the love of his life, Eloise Johnson, at a church in Knoke, IA. They were blessed with five children: Arlyn, Karen, Cynthia, David and Ricky. Melvin was proud to be a farmer. He loved farming but more than anything he loved his family. When his children were in school he attended their activities and even learned to play volleyball in his later years. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing, camping and fox hunting. Melvin and Eloise turned their rocking chairs to the window facing their fish pond so they could enjoy watching the birds that come to visit their feeders. In the evening they enjoyed sitting outside on the front patio. Melvin was born in the same house he lived in at the time of his death. He always laughed about the bedroom he was born in later being remodeled into a bar room, so he always joked, “I was born in a bar.” Melvin hosted redneck camping at the farm which was fun for all the campers in the family. His grandkids memories are of camping with grandpa and grandma, going to their house on Sunday afternoon and spending time with them in the summer. He retired from farming in 1993.

Melvin’s faith was strong. As a life-long member of Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church, he served as president of the congregation, taught Sunday School and served as trustee.

Survivors include his wife, Eloise; his children: Arlyn (Virginia) Hillmer of Lytton; Karen (Randy) Hanson of Callender; Cynthia (Larry) Finley of Auburn; and David (Rebecca) Hillmer of Adel; his sister Lorraine (LaVerne) Frank of Cherokee; 14 grandchildren: Sally Jo (Jason) Stoffregen, Auburn; Rochelle (Nick) Nolte, Farnhamville; Matthew (Deane) Ortner, Wall Lake; Christy (Jon) Hallengren, West Des Moines; Jerrad Hanson, Fort Dodge; Collin (Cristina) Hillmer, Des Moines; Marcia Ortner, Waukee; Richard (Shasta) Hillmer, Adel; Sharon (Chad) Stone, Waukee; Andrea Ortner, Fort Dodge; Andrew (Abby) Ortner, Auburn; Krystal (Mike) Licht, Fort Dodge; LTJG Morgan (David) Fowler, Jacksonville, FL; Byron Finley, Auburn; 25 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.

Melvin Herman Hillmer, age 83, of Lytton, IA, passed away suddenly on Saturday, September 8, 2012, at Dolliver Memorial State Park, in Lehigh, IA, while camping with his family. Melvin was born on June 20, 1929, to Herman Henry and Clara (Lange) Hillmer on the family farm where he currently lived. He was baptized and later confirmed his faith on March 29, 1942, by the Rev. H. C. Gold, at Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton and graduated from Lytton High School in 1946.