SR0411 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0411 LRB103 33296 ECR 63106 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael Leo "Mike" Hilber of Rantoul, who passed away on July 13, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Mike Hilber was born to Leo and Elaine Hilber in Marshfield, Wisconsin on August 28, 1948; he graduated from Marshfield High School in 1966; he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1968, and he was first stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota before being deployed to Okinawa, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand; he was formally trained as a construction-equipment operator but was augmented to load bombs on the B-52 Stratofortress, supporting the air war over Vietnam; once he returned to the U.S., he was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul; he married Yolanda Alvarado in Chapel 1 of Chanute Air Force Base in 1973; while on military reserve status, he attended Parkland College, where he earned his associate's degree in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Mike Hilber began a career with the Fisher Water Department in 1985, where he served as the water and wastewater superintendent for 25 years until his retirement; he served in the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserves until his retirement from Grissom Air Force Base in Indiana in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Mike Hilber volunteered with the honor guard, memorializing veterans at numerous services; he also spent five years volunteering with the World Free Fall Convention in the early 2000s, where he made lifelong friends and countless memories; and

WHEREAS, Mike Hilber had a vast array of hobbies throughout his life; he was interested in leatherworking and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan; every summer, he planted and tended to a garden that was well known for producing sweet peas, tomatoes, and the occasional oversized zucchini; he enjoyed fishing at his family's cottage in northern Wisconsin, which was a central part of his family's life, and having a good scoop of ice cream all year round; and

WHEREAS, Mike Hilber was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his brothers, Rick and Jeffery; and

WHEREAS, Mike Hilber is survived by his daughters, Melinda (Brad) Collins and Carina (Matthew) Gill; his grandchildren, Declan Collins, Ellie Collins, and Amelia Gill; his sister, Jean Loughead; and his brother, Danny Hilber; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Michael Leo "Mike" Hilber and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mike Hilber as an expression of our deepest sympathy.