Donald J. "Pappy" Hillenbrand, Sr., 68, Enjoyed league bowling and word puzzles
Donald J. "Pappy" Hillenbrand, Sr., age 68, of Elyria, died Wednesday October 16, 2002 at University Hospitals of Cleveland following an illness of six weeks. He was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on September 20, 1934 and was a graduate of Johnstown Catholic High School. He had been a resident of Elyria since 1991; he had previously resided in Bay Village.He was an U.S. Marine Corps veteran serving as an infantryman. He was employed as a security officer for the General Motors Corporation retiring from the company's Clark Street Plant (Detroit, Michigan) in 1991 following 27 years of service. He had previously served at the Coit Road and Lordstown facilities.
A parishioner of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Elyria Township, he was a member of the church's Holy Name Society and was acknowledged as Holy Name Parish Man of the Year in 1994. He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and volunteered as a CYO youth football coach at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Bay Village. He had formerly served as secretary-treasurer of a union local for the United AutoWorkers. His hobbies included league bowling and working puzzles.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years; Jean (nee Kimmel), daughters; Nellie A. Richards of Bedford, Catherine M. Vasey of Cleveland, Mary F. Rossi of Garfield Heights, sons; Andrew J. Hillenbrand of Wyandotte, Michigan and Donald J. Hillenbrand. Other survivors include 10 grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gustav J. and Victoria C. (nee Lesecky), brother; Leo, James, John, Edward, and William, and by sisters; Dolores Hillenbrand and Ann "Betty" Moors.
Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel - 3224 Broadway - Lorain where a rosary service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. by members of the St. Vincent DePaul Holy Name Society. Funeral services will be Monday beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed by his funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church - 41295 North Ridge Road - Elyria Township. The Rev. James Ols, pastor of the church will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery - Lorain.