Gene Hilleman

Gene W. Hilleman, 87, of Melbourne, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown.   Funeral services for Gene will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will be on Friday, April 26, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to either the Iowa River Hospice Home or to the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown in Gene’s honor. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Gene and his family.   Gene Hilleman was born on November 5, 1931 in Marshalltown to Herbert and Caroline Tigges Hilleman. He graduated from Van Cleve High School. In 1955, Gene was united in marriage to Barbara Joan Butters in Grundy Center. Together, they lived in Melbourne where Gene was a no till farmer. Gene enjoyed being a member of his bowling league and Farm Bureau. He liked fishing, golfing, going to the casino, going to eat at Sunrise Café and looking after his pet Llama, Seven.   Gene is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan; nieces and nephews: Pat Buffington, Roberta Thompson, Scott Hilleman, Cheryl Mauseth and Susan Schill and her daughter Gwyneth Heston. He is also survived by his brother in law Glen Taylor.   Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Caroline and brothers, Cecil Hilleman and Leon Hilleman.