James Hillmer

Loving Husband, Father, Papa and Great Papa, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 17th, 2021, with his loving and adoring family by his side.
Born November 8, 1928 in Detroit, MI., to John and Catherine Hillmer, He married the Love of his Life, RoseMary, in 1950 and, with God’s Grace, they shared 71+ beautiful years together.

Jim had a strong Faith and relationship with God, which he displayed in his daily life and proudly passed on to his family.
As a faithful member of St. Rita Catholic Church, he served as an usher and greeter for over 25 years until, regretfully, he had to stop due to health reasons. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Moose Club, and American Legion, where he and RoseMary enjoyed many Friday Fish Fries.

Graduate from the Augustinian Minor Seminary, in Oconomowoc, WI. Retired in 1987, from Chrysler, as General Foreman of Quality Control.

Jim loved to play golf and enjoyed time spent with RoseMary and their close friends on the local courses. Jim and RoseMary also took many trips to Florida, where they could continue playing golf together and enjoy the warmer weather,
He especially loved family get-togethers and dinners where he was always the life of the party.

He is survived by his children; Son: James M. and Alice (Peper) Hillmer, Daughter: Catherine M. Stewart and Michael; grandchildren: Marc and Melissa (Hillmer), Dines, Kingsley and Allison (Hillmer), Kennedy, Greg and Lauren (Hillmer), Grooters, Joel and Jaime (Hillmer), Pitsch, Chad and Jessica Stewart, Dustin Stewart (Jaime); great grandchildren: Jordan Dutcher, Mallory and Carson Dines, Matthew, Christian, Grayson Stewart, Aidan and Griffin Kennedy, Merren and Claire Pitsch and Maverick Stewart.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Jack and Ronald, and sisters Bernice, Alice, and Mitzi.

A Rosary will take place at 3:30 p.m. followed by a visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 South Mulford Road, Rockford, IL. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford, IL with Father Wentink officiating. A Burial will follow at Arlington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Poor Clares and/or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

A Special Thanks to the entire staff at Morning Star Village and Heartland Hospice for the loving care they extended to Jim and continue to extend to RoseMary.