Bernice Hilton, 93, of Ottawa, died on Monday morning, October 13, at the Ottawa Pavilion. Pursuant to her wishes, private Services and burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home.
Bernice was born on May 28, 1921, in Streator, to George and Barbara (Bellis) Quaka. She graduated from Streator High School in 1939, and Illinois State University in 1944. She continued her education at Northern Illinois University. She married Donald Hilton at St. Mary’s Church in Streator on August 19, 1944.
Mrs. Hilton taught at rural LaSalle County Schools, Lostant Grade School, Grand Ridge Grade School, and at Washington, Central, and Shepherd Jr. High schools in Ottawa.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Naplate, and the Altar and Rosary Society, LaSalle County Retired Teachers Association, and the Catholic Daughters of America. She was a volunteer at ReRuns, LaSalle County Nursing Home, Easter Seals, and Friendship Village.
She is survived by four daughters; Jeanette (Don) Lewis, of LaSalle, Jean Marie (Ron) Fleming, of Coal City, Beverly (John) Przystup, of Martinton, and Mary Ann (Gene) Hynes, of Albuquerque, NM, two sons, Donald W. (Nina) Hilton, of Beaufort, SC, and Kenneth of Ottawa, 18 Grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren, and 8 great- great-grandchildren.
Bernice is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1999, two sisters, Elsie Hill, and Florence Peterson, and one brother, George Quaka, of Streator.
Memorials may be directed to Friendship Village or Easter Seals of LaSalle and Bureau Counties.