Donald "Pappa Don" Hilgedick

Donald Julius Hilgedick, lovingly known as “Pappa Don” passed away at Glasgow Gardens on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the age of 95.

He was born in Boone County, Hartsburg, Missouri on June 14, 1929. He was the fifth child of six born to Otto F. and Hulda Marie Meyer Hilgedick. His family moved to the country just outside of Hartsburg in 1936, where his dad began farming and raised his family.

In 1943, Don attended a church youth meeting where he met Lillian E. Uthlaut. On May 9, 1948, he married Lillian. She preceded him in death on June 7, 2007, after fifty-nine years of marriage. When they first married, they lived in Fayette, and he went to work for the City of Fayette as a lineman. Prior to that Don hand worked out on a weekly basis on a bridge building crew.

Don attended the Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ in Hartsburg until joining the First Christian Church in Fayette in 1956. He has served his church in many ways – Deacon, Committee Chair and as a hands-on Christian.

Don became a Fayette Optimist Club member in 1971. He has been a faithful member since joining. During his membership he served as a local officer, Lt. Governor of the State Chapter and Governor of the State of Missouri Optimist in 1981-82. He recalls giving the welcome at the Optimist International Convention in St. Louis in 1981. When he was in the various leadership roles, he declared his motto as “Be an everyday Optimist!”

He and Lillian began the Hilgedick Electric Service business in 1954. In the following 71 years his four sons and other area young men have worked with Don at Hilgedick Electric.

In addition to his wife, Don was preceded in death by a son, George; three sisters, Mildred, Helen and Violet and by two brothers, Virgil and Wayne. Don is survived by sons, Glenn and wife, Trish Hilgedick, Marvin Hilgedick; daughter-in-law, Pat Hilgedick all of Fayette and son, Paul and wife, Rita Hilgedick of Huron, SD. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Shane and wife, Charice Hilgedick, Emily and husband, Chris Bange, Leslie and husband, Jon Sutton, Mike and wife, Heather Hilgedick, Nick and wife, Bri Hilgedick all of Fayette, David Hilgedick of Excelsior Springs, MO, Ann and husband, Steven VanWinkle and Andrea Hilgedick of Huron, SD and Brandon Hilgedick of Humble, TX; thirteen great-grandchildren, Kelly and husband, Patrick Kaylor of Harrisburg, MO, Cody Hilgedick, Aven Bange, Alexi Bange, Jackson Sutton, Quenton Sutton, Sterling Hilgedick, Emma Hilgedick, Miles Hilgedick, Lily Hilgedick, Colt Hilgedick all of Fayette and Brooklyn VanWinkle and Kinsley VanWinkle of Huron, SD as well as two great-great grandchildren, Gage Lyon and Olivia Kaylor of Harrisburg, MO.

Other survivors include two sisters-in-law, Betty Moon of Wichita, KS and Kate Uthlaut of Fayette, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private family service will be held Monday, February 17, 2025, at Carr-Yager Funeral Home in Fayette with burial following at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Fayette.

Casket bearers will be Shane Hildgedick, David Hilgedick, Mike Hilgedick, Nick Hilgedick, Chris Bange, Jon Sutton, Steve VanWinkle and Brandon Hilgedick.

A public memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 17, 2025, at the First Christian Church in Fayette with a reception to follow.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Fayette First Christian Church, Hometown Homecare and the Optimist Foundation in care of Carr-Yager Funeral Home, P.O. Box 210, Fayette, MO 65248.

Condolences may be shared at www.carryager.com.

Carr-Yager Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hilgedick Family.