Edmund V. “Ed” Hilliard

TOWNSHIP OF DOUGLAS  --  Edmund V. “Ed” Hilliard, age 84, of the Township of Douglas, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at Divine Savior Healthcare Hospital in Portage.

Ed was born on June 24, 1931 in Oxford, WI, the son of Vern and Helen (Cleary) Hilliard.  He was married at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage on August 2, 1952 to Lorna McTier.  Ed served his country with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.  He had worked as field manager for Pine Bluff Farms in Grand Marsh, retiring in 1996.  Ed was a NASCAR and Packer fan.  He was a master at gardening and was well known for his terrific sense of humor.  He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Briggsville, and the Carl E. Grabman American Legion Post #329, Briggsville.    

He is survived by his wife, Lorna;  two daughters, Janice (Jeff) Grothman, Portage, and Denise (Ken) Martin, LaCrosse;  his grandchildren, Kristi (Kelly) Rickey, Portage, Jeffrey (Kristen) Grothman, Sun Prairie, Katie (Brandon) Fleck, Middleton, Jordan Martin, St. Paul, and Garrett Martin, Madison;  two great-grandchildren, Abby and Emma Grothman;  his brother, Jim (Jean) Hilliard, Wisconsin Dells;  his sisters-in-law, Wilma Hilliard and Mona McTier;  nieces, nephews, other near relatives and many dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Herb Hilliard, and his in-laws, Donna and Rex Chapman and Bill McTier.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Briggsville, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Briggsville, with military honors provided by Briggsville American Legion Post #329.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2015 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church.  A Scripture Service will be held on Monday at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.