Obituaries: Hilt, Parks, Whitehouse

Florence Hilt

Florence G. Hilt, 90, of Bloomington, passed away at 6:55 a.m. on Feb. 15 at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Normal.

Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington with Pastor Chris Nitzel officiating. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran School.

Florence was born on May 21, 1924 in her home in Buckley, a daughter to Louis and Louise (Hografe) Wagner. She married Kenneth L. Hilt on Jan. 27, 1946 in Buckley. He preceded her in death on Jan. 6, 1997.

She is survived by two daughters, Maryann (Richard) Louis of New Concord, Ky., Connie (Frank) Borth of Leroy; three sons, Jerry (Betty) Hilt of Blair, Okla., Wayne (Pat) Hilt of Calvert City, Ky., Gene Hilt of Normal; 27 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Dorene Tiarks of Cissna Park.

In addition to her husband, Kenneth, she was preceded in death by her parents; two grandsons; one granddaughter; three sisters; and two brothers.

Florence was an administrative assistant at State Farm for 28 years.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Florence enjoyed quilting, and was passionate about cooking.

Online condolences and memories of Florence may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

Debra Parks

Debra D. Parks, 58, Rantoul and formerly of Forrest and Fairbury died Feb. 1, 2015 at her residence, Rantoul.

A visitation will be 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.  The family suggests memorials be given to the American Heart Association.

Mrs. Parks was born March 16, 1956 in Fairbury the daughter of Eugene and Nellie Bracken Bowles.

Surviving are one son, Thomas Parks, Missouri; one daughter, Rebecca Jones, Rantoul; a special friend of 15 years, Mark Eames, Rantoul and two grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one son and one daughter.

An online guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.

Mildred Whitehouse

Mildred “Bernice” Whitehouse, 88, of Bloomington, died at 4:21 a.m. on Feb. 16, 2015 at her home.

There will be no services or visitation.  Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home is handling cremation arrangements.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OSF Hospice.    To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.

She was born Feb. 14, 1927 in Normal, daughter of Emma Mayo.  She married James F. Whitehouse on July 21, 1950 in Bloomington, he preceded her in death on Sep. 5, 2002.

Surviving are one son, James (Donna) Whitehouse of Bloomington; two granddaughters, Crystal Whitehouse of Old Hickory, Tenn. and Melissa (Josh) Thorenson of Murphysboro, Tenn. and six great-grandchildren, Autumn, Jaylon, Michael, Malekai, Mallory and Marcus.  Also surviving are one half-brother; three half-sisters; her cousins, whom were very special to her, Jo Phillips and John Phillips, both of Bloomington and many nieces and nephews. 

When Bernice was younger she worked as a waitress in the Bloomington-Normal area, fondest of her time working at “The Green Mill” in Bloomington.   She loved her time spent with the “extended family” at the Phoenix Towers and enjoyed her animals. 

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