Hill Bernard

Bernard "Hunky" HillNovember 23, 1933 - February 14, 2011 Bernard "Hunky" "Sonny" Lyle Hill, 77, of Wayne, Ohio died on Monday in his home after a long battle with cancer. He was born November 23, 1933 in Napoleon, Ohio to the late George and Cora (Flint) Hill. On July 20, 1968 he married Mary Lee Eberle in Florida, Ohio, and she survives. He is also survived by children; Daniel Hill, Wayne; Lynda Hill, Fostoria, Ohio; Synthia (Ed) Mahler, Risingsun, Ohio; Vonna (Joe) Bridges, Ramona, North Carolina; Charline (Don) Crispen, Rossford, Ohio; Jenny Hill, Wayne; Debra Hill, Naples, Florida; grandchildren, Daniel; Dianna; Renee; Scott; Traci; Jeremiah; Adam; Tyler and Justine; great-grandchildren, Julia; Zackery; Noah; Madilyn; Alison and Addison; brothers, Larry (Ruth) Hill; Fred (Evelyn) Hill; sisters, Lois Mahnke; Shirley Boyett; Bonnie (Bill) Shafer; Doris Ann Rippee, Janet Scott and Becky Martinez; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Don (Joyce) Eberle; Charles (Estelle) Eberle; Tom (Debbie) Eberle; Sheryl (Jim) Dobbelaere; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother, William; sister, Eunice; father and mother-in-law, Don & Jeanette Eberle; and brothers-in-law; George Mahnke; Pete Boyett and Lee Martinez. Bernard attended Malinta-Grelton School. He served in the U.S. Army with the Heavy Tank 7th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. He started working at a young age for Pohlman Farms, often feeding cattle before and after school. In later years he raised his own cattle, pigs, chickens and ducks. He always had one or two dogs following him and though he never liked cats, the past four years, his special friend Spike, slept on his lap part of the day. Bernard started working in the construction field in his teens. He was a 50+ year member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, working with District 2, Toledo. In 1985 he formed B Hill'z Excavating, Inc. with Steve Zachmann. He retired in 1995, and sold his share to Steve; who continues to run the business. Hunky was an excellent heavy equipment operator, and enjoyed running his dozer, excavator and tractors even when his health made it hard to get on the seats. Bernard loved the outdoors, raising a big garden every year to share with family and friends. He enjoyed being in the woods and planted many trees. He liked hunting, fishing, spending time at his cabin, and playing cards; his favorite games were pinochle, poker and rummy. After retirement, you could find him most mornings at the Friendship drinking coffee and talking with his buddies. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, giving them rides on the gator, picking vegetables, hunting and just being with them. He was a member of Wayne Church of Christ and considered Minister John a good friend; and Bradner American Legion. Services are 11:00 a.m., Thursday at Rodenberger Funeral Home, Napoleon, with Minister John Amstutz officiating. Graveside Military Honors will follow in the Cole Cemetery, Florida. Visitation is 3-8 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Bridge Hospice; Wayne Church of Christ or Wayne Public Library. www.rodenbergerfuneralhome.com

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Hill Bernard

February 14, 2011