Obituary for Joseph Verle Hilton

Joseph Verle Hilton, 85, of Clear Lake, Wisc., died Dec. 10, 2015 at the Golden Age Manor Nursing Home in Amery, Wisc.
He was born Feb. 21, 1930, in Rockford, Ill., the son of Albert and Lillian (Isaac) Hilton. As a boy, Joe moved often with his family in and around Illinois. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged from military service. Joe was married to Darlene Peterson on May 10, 1952 in Pecatonica, Ill. In 1959, they moved to Clear Lake, where Joe farmed and raised five sons, Brad, Kelly, Scott, Rance and Kyle. In addition to farming, Joe worked for a time in construction in the Twin Cities and later worked as a carpenter in the Clear Lake area for many years. Joe also worked at Pixall in Clear Lake a short time before moving to Payson, Ariz., in 1980. While in Payson, Joe built homes, had his own street sweeping business, and worked for the school district and funeral home. He and Darlene returned to the Clear Lake area in 2005. In his spare time, Joe enjoyed fishing, playing cards, telling stories, working crossword puzzles, and spending time with his family and friends. He especially loved being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe has lived in Amery for the past couple years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene; his parents, Albert and Lillian Hilton; brothers, John, Robert and Richard Hilton; sisters, Katherine White and Nancy Wandell; daughters-in-law, LaVonne Hilton and Joyce Hilton; and grandson, Adam Hilton.
He is survived by children, Bradford (Bev) Hilton of Eau Claire, Wisc., Kelly Hilton of Clear Lake, Wisc., Scott Hilton of Siren, Wisc., Rance (Julie) Hilton of Clear Lake, Wisc. and Kyle (Kelly) Hilton of Albia, Iowa; grandchildren, Aric (Tamara) Hilton, Rachel (Aaron) Warner, Zachary (Shaelyn) Hilton, Sheena (Luke) Juedes, Nicole (Michael) Kuc, Brenna Hilton, Cheyenne Hilton, Daelynn Hilton, Eli Hilton, Christopher Grunder, Robert Grunder, Elizabeth Wilson and Vanessa (Brandon) Lindsey; 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Gwen Ang of Rockford, Ill., sister and brothers-in-law, Darrel Peterson, Patricia Greene andCharles Peterson, all of Pecatonica, Ill.; as well as many friends and relatives.
A funeral service was held Dec. 19 at the Scheuermann Funeral Home in Clear Lake, with Pastor Dan Pearson.
Interment will be at Clear Lake Cemetery at a later date.
Scheuermann Funeral Home of Clear Lake, Wisc. handled the arrangements.