James Michael Hildebrand

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James Michael Hildebrand, age 79, died on Dec 26, 2024, at home in Estero, Florida. He was born March 4, 1945 to Warren and Ruth Spink Hildebrand in Rockford, Il. He spent most of his life in the Monroe Center/Byron Area. He attended Stillman Valley High School class of 1963. Mike, as he was known to family and friends, was a truck driver for 30 years. After retiring from the Teamsters Union, he operated the Concrete Curios Statuary Company.

It took Mike 41 years to find the love he was looking for. He married Janet Skelly McClenthen on July 3, 1986. He liked to say it was a package deal as he acquired 3 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 2 grandchildren. Mike and Janet retired in Estero, FL in January of 2000. Mike enjoyed the summer visits in Illinois and kept in touch with his lifelong friends and family. He also enjoyed traveling all over the United States both as a truck driver and later as a tourist. After retirement, he had a woodworking shop in the garage and enjoyed making wooden toys for his grandchildren and the underprivileged children in Immokalee, FL. Mike designed many wooden models of semi-trucks. He was an avid reader of western mystery books.

Survivors include his wife, 3 step daughters, Colleen (Mike) Carter of Byron IL, Sandra (Allen) Myers of Bonita Springs, FL, Kelly McClenthen of Fort Myers, FL; 4 step-grandchildren, Michele (David) DeRosso of Byron, IL, Mikey (Wendy) Carter of Leaf River, IL, Daniel Drew of Fort Myers, FL, and Derek Drew of Fort Myers, FL; 2 step-great grandsons, Logan Derosso and Nova Drew; A sister, Marcia Masterson of Monroe Center Il, a brother, Craig (Carole) Hildebrand of New Albany, MS; Nephew, Lee (Jodi) Masterson; 2 nieces, Wendy Klinger, and Shalla White, and several great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, a nephew, Steve Hildebrand, and special Aunts, Jean Hildebrand and Catherine Harms.

A Cremation will take place in Estero, Florida. A Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM on April 12 at Farrell- Holland-Gale Funeral Home Byron, IL. A memorial service will begin at 11:30 AM with celebrant Molly Bowen officiating at the funeral home followed by a burial at St Mary Cemetery in Byron, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Guadalupe Center’s for Underprivileged Children,  509 Hope Circle Immokalee, FL 34142.