Richard L. Hill

Richard Lyle “Dick” Hill, 95, of Mason City, Iowa, formerly Clear Lake, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, at the Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City, Iowa.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at Faith Baptist Church, Mason City, with the Reverend Greg Gosnell officiating. Interment was at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be presented by the Clear Lake Honor Guard.

Memorials may be given to the Faith Baptist Church or Hospice in his memory.

Dick was born Jan. 27, 1921, in Vienna Township, Iowa, the son of Charley A. and Vernal M. (Randall) Hill, he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior at age 11. The family moved to Mason City, then to Clear Lake, where he graduated from high school in 1938. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, 1942, in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, as a technician and stationed on the island of Attu, Alaska territory. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 from Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. While in the service Dick married Lillian Ruth Merwin on May 10, 1943.  The marriage lasted 73 years until his passing.

Dick worked as a rural mail carrier for the US Postal Service for 38 years, enjoying his job and making many friends.  He retired in 1984. Dick was an active member of Faith Baptist Church, in Mason City, and the American Legion, Mason City. After retirement he volunteered for many years at Opportunity Village, A.E.A., Oakwood Nursing Home, was a docent at the Stockman House, and escorted or drove cancer patients to and from Clear Lake to Mercy Hospital.

Dick enjoyed spending time with family, reading and studying the Bible, watching the Hawkeyes, and Twins play, and he loved traveling throughout the United States.

Dick is survived by his wife, Ruth Hill, Mason City; three sons, Steven (friend, Cindy Weimert) Hill, North Mankato, Minn., Ed (Carol) Hill, Winter Garden, Fla., and Brian (Jackie) Hill, Oak Park, Ill.; grandchildren, (Steve’s), Jessica (Aaron) Hatanpa, (Ed’s) Benjamin (Kirsten) Hill and Anna Hill (Hanratty); (Brian’s) Adam (Jen) Hill and Alex Hill; great grandchildren, Lenlie, Jennings, and Huxen Hatanpa, Mathew, Tristan, Olivia Hill, and Luke Hannratty; brothers-in-law, Paul (Tilly) Merwin; three sisters-in-law, Charlotte Hill, Sara (Ed) Lyons, and Carol May (E.C.) Wilson.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Monica Hill; sister, Dorothy (Al) Gobeli; three brothers, Earl (Madline) Hill, George (Meridy) Hill, and Robert Hill; 22 brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and their spouses.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.