John "Jack' Hilt

Jack Hilt of Buffalo City, WI passed away on Thursday March 29, 2012 at the Marinuka Manor in Galesville, WI. Jack was born on July 11, 1928 in Racine, Wisconsin to John and Clara (Hanson) Hilt. He graduated in 1946 from Washington Park High School in Racine, WI and enlisted in the US Army just prior to graduation. He served 10 months in the Philippines and was honorably discharged in October 1947. In April, 1948 he was united in marriage to Delores Ann Rice in Racine, WI. They were blessed with four boys; John, Michael, Jeffrey and Patrick. In addition to his service in the US Army, Jack served time in the US Air Force as an Aviation Cadet and later enlisted in the US Navy in 1952 where he served as a member of the Navy Weather Service achieving the rank of Aerographer's Mate First Class. During his time in the Navy Weather Service he spent 18 months at the Navy's Weather Station on Kodiak Island, Alaska. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1956. After his discharge from the US Navy, he worked in sales for Webster Electric, Lear Seigler and Parker Hannifin. He spent 20 years with Parker Hannifin, retiring in 1988 as one of company’s top performing sales engineers. Jack was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with family and numerous friends. Jack is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Delores of Buffalo City, WI; his four boys; John (Cathy) Hilt of Hartford, WI, Jeffrey (Patricia) Hilt of Bulverde, TX, Michael Hilt of Anchorage, Alaska, and Patrick Hilt of Mancos, CO, his six grandchildren Christine, Jake, Kate, Joe, Torey and Carley; his brother-in-law Paul J. Cody of Paradise Valley, AZ and his three nephews James, Michael and Matthew Cody. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara (Hanson) Hilt and his beloved sister, Mary (Hilt) Cody. A military honors funeral will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Wisconsin on Thursday 12 April at 10:00 am. A luncheon reception for family and friends will follow at the Harbor Lite Yacht Club in Racine at 559 State Street The Talbot Family Funeral Homes/Scenic Rivers Cremation Center, Alma, WI assisted the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Veterans Honor Flight Network to help transport veterans to Washington DC to visit the World War II Memorial. Their website is www.honorflight.org/donate/ Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com