Duane R Hilst

PEKIN ~ Duane Ray Hilst, 78, of 1104 Arthur Street, passed away at 5:06 p.m. Sunday, August 16, 2009 at his home. Born April 16, 1931 in San Jose to Jessie F. and Edythe L. (Auxier) Hilst, he married Phyllis J. Black on May 31, 1953 in Pekin. She survives. Also surviving are one daughter, Christie L. (Steve) Schoenbein of Pekin; two sons, Scott A. (Joyce) Hilst and Steven B. (Vicky) Hilst, both of Pekin; five grandchildren, Derek T. Price of Pekin, Katie A. Schoenbein of Creve Coeur, and Dave (Tonya) Neulinger, Tyne Handegan, and Whitney Handegan, all of Pekin; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Dean E. (Carol) Hilst of Sun City, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews. His parents and one infant brother preceded him in death. Duane was a 1949 graduate of Pekin Community High School. He served in the United States Army Reserve during the Korean War. Duane co-owned and operated Hy-Pride Campers in Pekin, with his wife and sons, since 1976. Previously, he worked for 25 years at several area insurance companies in claims, last working as a claims supervisor for Home Insurance in Peoria. He also had worked at Pelco Structures in Peoria. He was a member of Saint Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin. Over the years, Duane built several homes in Pekin and passed along his knowledge to his children whom he loved to help with their projects. He also enjoyed traveling and camping with his family. His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Saint Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin, where visitation will be one hour before the service. The Rev. Dwight E. Borden will officiate. Private burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul United Church of Christ, 101 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 525 West Monroe Street, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60661, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 651 West Washington Blvd., Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60661.