Neal Hildebrand

NEAL A. HILDEBRAND, 87 FREEPORT - Neal A. Hildebrand, 87, of Freeport, formerly of Orangeville, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 29, 2011. Born July 28, 1923, in Rockford to Arthur and Nellie (Moberg) Hildebrand. Graduate of West High School in Rockford, Class of 1942. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps as a PFC in the South Pacific and China theaters during World War II with the First Marine Division. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Separation Center in Great Lakes on Oct. 15, 1946. Neal married Janet Shelden on Sept. 10, 1948, in Cherry Valley. He was a carpenter and farmed in rural Orangeville all his life. Member of Grace Free Evangelical Free Church in Orangeville and the Orangeville American Legion (Ewert-Kline Post). Neal loved the Lord and his family and friends. He enjoyed farming, hunting and fishing during his younger years. He retired from being a carpenter in 1986 and farmed his 60 acres until 1990. Survived by wife, Janet; children, Susan (Jene) Eberle of Monroe, Wis., Steven (Marilyn) Hildebrand of Orangeville, Nancy (Steven) Rodebaugh of McConnell and Bonnie (Jeff) Clark of Freeport; son-in-law, Dennis Nolan of Lena; grandchildren, Chris Viney Eberle, Brian Hildebrand, Stacey Nolan Plavchek, Kenneth Eberle, Mark Hildebrand, Mindy Nolan McNutt, Keith Rodebaugh, Caryn Eberle, Adam Rodebaugh, Sara Rodebaugh, Lydia Clark Steinhauser and Emily Clark; and 17 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents; daughter, Sally; brother, Dale; and sister-in-law, Delores Hildebrand. Memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 3, at Grace Evangelical Free Church, Orangeville, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to time of service. Cremation rites will be accorded. Burial in Sunset Acres Cemetery, Orangeville. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name. Condolences may be sent to the family at leamonfh.com.