Joseph R. Hilmer

Joseph “Joe” R. Hilmer, age 93, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2011. Joe was born in West Allis, WI, on June 4, 1918, son of John and Elizabeth (Nee: Butschli) Hilmer.

Joe was a graduate of Marquette University and an honorary fraternity member of Beta Alpha Psi, Social Alpha Kappa Psi. During World War II he proudly served in the United States Navy. On September 6, 1947, at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Oconomowoc he was united in marriage to Betty J. Ludwigson.

Early in his career he was employed by Kearney and Trecker for twelve years and then by S.C. Johnson Wax for thirty-five years, retiring in January of 1981. Joe belonged to the Johnson Wax “20 Year Club,” Meadowbrook Country Club, and Cardiac Capers. He served as Central State Senior Golf Association President and Wisconsin State Senior Golf Association Director for a number of years. He devoted his life to his family and will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-three years, Betty; his nine children, James (Gail) Hilmer, Marge (James) Ouimet, Rose (Ron) Johnson, John (Jayne) Hilmer, Thomas (Deb) Hilmer, Joseph (Patricia) Hilmer, Barbara (Tristan) Perez, Catherine (Jiro) Sakomoto, Susan (Brent) Podlogar; 23 grandchildren, David Hilmer, Michael (Diane) Ouimet, Michelle (Jack) Hill, Suzanne (Alfredo) Munoz, Mark, Krista and Craig Johnson, Nathan Hilmer, Jacob (Sarah) Hilmer, Rebecca (Ryan) Cairns, Jazz Hilmer, Dane (Ann Marie) Hilmer, Toran Hilmer, Noelle Hilmer, Allison (Andrew) Smith, Andrew Hilmer, Eric Hilmer, Brittany Perez, Kimmi, Amanda, and Andrew Sakomoto, Sarah and Vaughn Podlogar; eight great-grandchildren, Kurt and Ryan Ouimet, Jaden and Ashton Hill, Audrey Munoz, Tayden Snowball, Jackson and Savannah Hilmer; sister, Anna Gallatin; brother-in-law, William Cerbe; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Edwards, Therese Cerbe, Elizabeth Farrar; and brother, Jacob Hilmer.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, August 6, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., with Rev. William J. Dietzler officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday at church from 9 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Catherine’s High School, Racine, St, Paul’s Catholic Church, Racine, or St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Greendale, WI.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888