RANTOUL - Michael Leo Hilber, 74, of Rantoul passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
Michael was born Aug. 28, 1948, in Marshfield, Wis., to Leo and Elaine Hilber. Growing up in Colby, Wis., he and his four siblings enjoyed summer swimming at Cherokee Park, where they would jump around vehicle-sized granite boulders on the banks of the Big Eau Pleine River. Mike also spent countless hours at the family-owned Colby Cheese House.
In 1952, the Hilber family began constructing a summer cottage on the shore of Long Lake in Phillips, Wis., which would serve as a summer getaway throughout his life and facilitate a lifelong friendship with the Stieber family. His family moved to Marshfield, Wis., in 1964, where Mike graduated from Marshfield High School in 1966.
With the recommendation of his oldest brother Dan, Mike chose to join the U.S. Air Force in 1968, instead of the Army. While stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, he forward-deployed to Okinawa, Vietnam and Thailand. Although he formally trained as a construction-equipment operator, Mike was augmented to load bombs on the B-52 Stratofortress, supporting the air war over Vietnam. Once Stateside, Mike chose Chanute Air Force Base as his next duty station, residing in Rantoul for the remainder of his life.
In 1973, Mike married Yolanda Alvarado in Chapel 1 of Chanute Air Force Base. He served in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves until his retirement in 2002 from Grissom Air Force Base in Indiana. In 1977, Mike retrained as a water operator.
While on military reserve status, Mike attended Parkland College, where he earned his associate degree in 1980. He began a career with the Fisher water department in 1985, where he served as the water and wastewater superintendent for 25 years until his retirement. Somehow, he still had time to volunteer with the honor guard memorializing veterans at numerous services. He also spent five years volunteering with the World Free Fall Convention in the early 2000s. Here he met lifelong friends and made countless memories.
Throughout his life, he was known to have a vast array of hobbies. He had an interest in leatherworking, and his projects will be passed down through the family. Every summer, he planted and tended to a garden that was well known for sweet peas, tomatoes and the occasional oversized zucchini.
During the fall and winter, he was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Many Sundays were spent watching the games with family, during which he had much advice that the coaches never seemed to listen to.
Whenever he had a moment to slow down, he took some time to fish out on the lake at his family's cottage. The cottage, in northern Wisconsin, was a central part of the lives of Mike, his children and grandchildren. Every summer, multiple trips were taken to meet with family, swim and boat on the lake, play cards and tell stories into the night. The past couple of summers, he was able to share this love with his grandchildren Declan and Ellie.
During the year, even in the cold of winter, he always enjoyed a good scoop of ice cream. Ever since the opening of the ice cream shop in Fisher, he had a weekly date with his granddaughter Amelia to go get a scoop or two.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Yolanda; his father, Leo; his mother, Elaine; and two brothers, Rick and Jeffery.
He is survived by two daughters, Melinda Collins (Brad) and Carina Gill (Matthew); three grandchildren, Declan and Ellie Collins and Amelia Gill; a sister, Jean Loughead; and a brother, Danny Hilber.
5 Entries
Jeanne Batten
July 22, 2023
As I read this I'm fortunate enough to be sitting on the deck at our Long Lake cottage. Oh the memories. Mike was such a pest when he was little. One Sunday morning he was bugging my Dad. Dad told him to stop or he'd be going for a swim. Of course Mike continued, Dad picked him up carried him to the dock and threw him in Sunday clothes and all.
Fortunately when we spent time together last summer Mike retold us this story.
Sending our love and sympathy to all of you. Jeanne
Bob Silverman
July 22, 2023
My wife, Vicki, and I were sad to hear about Mike´s passing. We met him when he and Yo visited Yo´s dad, Pete. He was a great guy who will be missed
Milt Kelly
July 21, 2023
I have many good memories of working with Mike when I was Mayor of the the Village of Fisher. He was a perfectionist and a stickler for detail and always wanted things done the right way. I truly appreciate the way he served our nation and our village. Milt Kelly
Debbie Nickey
July 21, 2023
I was so sad to hear of Mike's passing. He was a wonderful man who loved his children and grandchildren.
Connie Donley
July 21, 2023
May God bless you and your family. Rest in peace Mike.
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more