L. Chris Hilyard

L. "Chris" Hilyard, 60, of Springfield, died at 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at St. John's Hospice. Chris was born October 4, 1949 in Lansing, MI the daughter of Eugene Wesley Phelps, Sr. and Dorothy Jean Harrell Phelps. She married Murray Lee Hilyard on June 13, 2002 in Springfield, IL. Chris graduated from Lansing High School in Lansing, MI and worked for the federal government and retired as a procurement clerk at the Sara Cook House. She enjoyed growing flowers and landscaping, loved gazing at the stars and the world around her, and enjoyed playing poker, especially Texas Holdem. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; aunts, Helen Schmidt, Lillian Spence and Mary Goggin; and uncle, Jacob Harold. She is survived by her husband, Murray of Springfield; two daughters, Heather (husband, David) Hathaway of Owasso, MI and Holly (husband, Gene) Sheets of Fruitport, MI; three step-children, Patrick J. (wife, Jessica) Hilyard of Carlinville, Janet Elizabeth (husband, William) Richard of CA and Nicholas C. Hilyard of Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren, Weslee Harold, Harley Harold, Bowen Hathaway and Brian Hathaway; five step-grandchildren, Patrick Elijah Hilyard, Isaac Hilyard, Malachi Lee Hilyard, Molly Hilyard and Keegan Richard; and a brother, Eugene Phelps, Jr. of Lansing, MI. Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut St., Springfield, with Rev. Robert J. Jallas celebrant. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center following the ceremonies. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703 or to the Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd., Springfield, IL 62702.