James Hillebrand

James (Jimbo/Bobo) Henry Hillebrand passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 7th, 2025. He passed after a short battle with cancer at the age of seventy-one.

Jim was born in Lake Zurich, IL on March 17, 1954.

His parents were John Hillebrand (decreased) and Geradine Hillebrand (decreased).

Jim was a sports nut as soon as he came into this world. He loved football, basketball, baseball, horse racing and any other sport you could place a bet on.

His favorite teams were the Northwestern Wildcats, Chicago Bears, and the Chicago White Sox. He loved the 1995 and 1996 Northwestern football seasons, the 85 Bears and the 2005 Chicago White Sox. It took him weeks to actually believe that the Sox won the World Series.

Jim was a graduate of Lake Zurich High School. For many years he worked as a printer with his father and years later started his own printing business. He also worked as a post man and worked at his beloved Arlington Racetrack as a teller for many summers.

He officiated youth and high school football for many years with many friends and his two sons. There are too many funny stories that occurred during that time, that we all will look back with laughter.

Jim taught his children the love of sports and in turn they taught theirs.

Jim loved going to Northwestern football games since he was a child with his dad. He continued that tradition with his own children and again they brought their own now, which is a great legacy to leave behind.

Jim loved to hang out with family and friends. He was always known as a great cook. He loved making special birthday dinners for them. He was a very giving man. If you ever ask for something and at any time of the day, he will seem to make that happen without any questions asked.

He was known for his long-winded stories that sometimes had an ending and long phone conversations with his family/friends and even with people he hardly knew.

He leaves behind a legacy of giving, understanding and love, which in life we all can strive for.

He leaves behind his sons (Timothy and Patrick), daughter-in-laws (Karen and Kimmy), sister (Patty Paterson), brother-in-law (Bob Paterson), grandchildren (Lennox, Reese, and Collin), and great- grandchildren (Ryan and Jackson Tarr).

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Aug 2 for family and friends.