Carl Robert Hillman, 94, of Cerro Gordo, IL, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Hickory Point Christian Village, Forsyth, IL.

 

Visitation will be held from 6 - 8 pm Tuesday, November 7 at Brintlinger and Earl Cerro Gordo Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 am Wednesday, November 8 at Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren. Interment will be in Cerro Gordo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Cerro Gordo Booster Club or American Cancer Society.

 

Carl was born on October 27, 1923, in Mahomet, Illinois, son of Lewis and Laura (Schwear) Hillman. He married Ethel Elanor Eades on April 18, 1954, in Oakley, IL. She passed away January 20, 2000 in Decatur, IL.

 

Surviving are three daughters: Carla Luann Hillman of Kewanee, IL; Janie Carlene (John) Savage of Skokie, IL and Debbie Carcl Wilson of Cerro Gordo; and one son: Harl Lewis (Deanne) Hillman of Decatur, IL; two grandsons: Carl Wilson and Hayden Hillman; two granddaughters: Hayley and Hannah Hillman; two step-granddaughters: Erin Waltemate and Sarah Savage; one brother: Delmar Hillman of St. Joseph, IL, and many nieces and nephews.

 

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and five sisters: Vera Cleek, Vivian Sprau, LaVern Grant, Pauline Bateman, and Naomi Kroner, and one brother: Estal Hillman. He also had one brother and one sister who both died in infancy.

 

After graduating from Mahomet High School in 1942, where he held the baseball record with 17 strikeouts in seven innings, Carl played in competitive softball leagues until age 60 and coached several youth baseball teams. Carl was a lifelong believer in the Chicago Cubs and was a loyal Cerro Gordo Broncos fan. He was honored as Broncos #1 Fan in 2009. He farmed with his father Lewis Hillman in Central Illinois from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s. Carl retired from the Firestone plant in Decatur, IL in 1989, after 23 years of service and many dedicated overtime hours. He was a member of the Lions Club in Cerro Gordo for 48 years.

 

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com