Gene A. Hilsmier

Gene Allan Hilsmier, 73, of Calabash, North Carolina and formerly of Ossian, Indiana passed away at 11:28 a.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Carol S. Roberson Hospice Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Gene was born in Wells County, Indiana on September 8, 1936 to the late Ernest W. and Glenna G. (Quackenbush) Hilsmier. He graduated from Ossian High School in 1954 and attended Purdue Extension in Fort Wayne. Gene resided in Ossian, Indiana and was a Design Engineer for IT & T from 1956 to 1964. He was employed at International Harvester Heavy Duty Truck as a Cab Designer from 1964 to December of 1981. He relocated to Greensboro, NC in 1983 as Lead Designer for the Body Surface Development Division of Volvo Truck of North America. He held that position until 1996. He retired and moved to Calabash, NC in 1998. Gene was an U.S. Air Force National Guard Veteran. He was a member of Bluffton Elks Lodge, Bluffton Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, the Scottish Rite of Fort Wayne, and the Mizpah Shrine. Gene was raised of the Presbyterian Faith. Mr. Hilsmier is survived by his wife of 49 years H. Lorraine (Harris) Hilsmier of Calabash, NC, a son, Greg Hilsmier of Winston Salem, NC, a daughter, Anjanette Lassiter (husband: Randy) of Huntington, IN, four grandsons, Bryce Bender of Waynedale, Brandt Bender, Trey Bender, and Cole Lemberg all of Huntington, a step-grand-daughter, Azrea Lassiter of Hoagland, Indiana, a sister, Carolyn Lipp (husband: Norman) of Ossian, IN, a sister-in-law, Willie Hilsmier of Garrett, Indiana, several nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by twin daughters, Julia and Jill Hilsmier, a son, Mark Alan Hilsmier, two brothers, Paul Hilsmier and Edwin Hilsmier. Calling hours are 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2010 at Thoma/Rich, Chaney & Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton, Indiana. Calling is also one hour prior to services Friday at the funeral home. Masonic memorial service will be at 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Elks memorial service will be at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2010 at the funeral home with Pastor Jay Cline officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery in Ossian. Preferred memorials are the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital or The American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.thomarich.com.

Gene A. Hilsmier

September 8, 1936 - June 12, 2010