1938
2024
John Leon Hillis, 85, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, at Orchard Villa in Oregon, Ohio.
He was born in Napoleon, Ohio, on Oct. 19, 1938, to the late Robert and Vera (Yaichner) Hillis. On Oct. 19, 1960, he married Judith Ann Sheeley at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon.
John worked for General Motors for over 30 years and was also a lifelong farmer. He enjoyed collecting toy tractors and working on his John Deere tractors.
John loved his horses and racing at Raceway Park. He was an outdoorsman who liked to fish and go coon hunting.
John is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Judy; children, Joni (Cheryl) Hillis and Julie (Jim) Gallacher; grandchildren, Joshua Beal, Matthew Light, Savannah Hillis, Aria Hillis and Caleb Hillis; great-grandson, Matthew Beal; siblings, Mary (Don) Wiemken and Charles (Barb) Hillis; and sister-in-law, Mary Alice Hillis.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, John Jr. "Skeeter;" and brother, Ronald Hillis.
Friends and family will be received at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, from 2-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Restoration Church, Defiance, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, at 11 a.m., with an hour of visitation prior to services. Interment will follow at Riverview Memory Gardens, Defiance.
Memorial contributions may be made to Restoration Church or Orchard Villa.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Aug
18
2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home - Napoleon1010 Westmoreland Avenue, Napoleon, OH 43545
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Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home - Napoleon1010 Westmoreland Avenue, Napoleon, OH 43545
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