Norma Joan "Jo" Hillenburg

Norma Joan "Jo" (Mitchell) Hillenburg, a lifelong resident of Monroe County, IN, passed away December 19, 2025, at the age of 92. She was born March 16, 1933, the fourth of seven children to the late Gilbert and Ruth (Shields) Mitchell. On February 3, 1951, she married the love of her life, Darrell Hillenburg, and they shared 66 years of marriage before he passed February 24, 2016.

Jo worked at RCA in her earlier years and retired as the office manager and treasurer of Southern Monroe Water Corp. in 1999.

She loved her family and took great pride in always making homemade fudge, divinity and special favorite dishes for Christmas. Until recently, she carried on the tradition of Granny Mitchell's Chewy Oatmeal Cookies so loved by all the family. She loved to watch the Indiana Hoosiers and Indianapolis Colts.

Jo was a member of Harrodsburg Methodist Church, Smithville Area Association, and a vendor at Smithville's Weekly Farmer's Market displaying her craft of decorative plates. Jo graduated from Smithville High School in the Class of 1951 and still looked forward to the class reunion and Alumni Banquet.

Jo is survived by her daughter, Debi (C.E.) Wells of Elkland, MO; her son, Dennis (Jeanette Riggs) Hillenburg of Villa Rica, GA; brother, David (Glenda Wisley) Mitchell of Camby, IN; and many nieces and nephews who were special to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Doris Alexander, Sue Masters, and Pat Eller; brothers, Bill Mitchell and Dwight Mitchell; brothers in-law, Fred Funke, Floyd Masters, and John Eller; sister in-law, Juanita (Bunch) Mitchell; father in-law, Freeland Hillenberg; and mother in-law, Cleo (Deckard) Hillenberg.

Grandchildren include one granddaughter, three great grandsons, and their families.

A funeral service for Jo will be held at Allen Funeral Home in Bloomington, IN at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 with pastor Matt Hinshaw officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. until the start of the service. Burial will follow at Mt. Ebal Cemetery in Bloomington, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harrodsburg Methodist Church or Smithville Area Association.