Longtime New Lenox Man, 95, 'Had A Smile For Everyone He Met': Mayor

NEW LENOX, IL — A longtime New Lenox man is being remembered for his dedication to service and devotion to the community—and his readiness to crack a joke.

US Marine and Army Veteran Dean Hill died March 16. He was 95. Hill was active in the New Lenox Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Optimist Club, Food Pantry, Good Shepherd Manor, St. Jude Church and numerous other organizations. He also had a longtime career with State Farm Insurance.

"Dean was a wonderful man," New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann told Patch. "Always had a smile for everyone he met. An incredibly kind man, and he’ll be missed by many."

Hill and his family moved to New Lenox in 1972, from his hometown of Galesburg, Illinois, where Hill grew up, attended college and was instrumental in keeping the Catholic grade school Costa, open, his daughter Jackie Ebben told Patch. Ebben and her brother Tom attended St. Jude's, and Providence Catholic High School. Ebben's older brother, Doug, stayed in Galesburg and attended Knox College, following in their father's footsteps. Middle siblings, Dave and Greg, were moved mid high school and briefly attended Linclon-Way High School, Ebben told Patch.

Ebben spoke fondly and freely of her father's nature.

"Dad was a very benevolent, kind, positive person," Ebben said. "He was a man of great faith. He and (his late wife) Jean attended daily mass at St Jude's until his health did not allow him to do so. He didn't preach to us, but led by example."

With Hill's service, came a humility.

"There were many kind things that my father did over the years that I did not learn about until much later in life, like President of the New Lenox food bank," Ebben said. "There are probably many acts of kindness/service that we are still not aware of, b/c my father was a very humble man. Family meant everything to him. He lived to see his grandkids and was so very proud of all of them! He was a very sweet man, who liked to make people laugh. He was known as a joke teller to his family and friends."

Hill was dedicated to his town.

"He truly loved this community!" Ebben told Patch, of her father's love for New Lenox.

"My dad was all about service. He was president of the school board at one point. He was instrumental in raising funds for the extension of the gym for St Jude's grade school."

She wasn't sure how long Hill was involved in the Chamber of Commerce and rotary; he delivered for the Meals on Wheels programs until a broken hip at age 82 stopped him. His resilience rang clear throughout his life, Ebben said.

"Perseverance and optimism!" Ebben said she remembers of him. "Dad outlived two wives, two children, all of his siblings and in-laws and numerous friends. He used to tell me that 'getting old hurts.' He decided to make every day the best that it could be."

He loved golf, eating out, telling jokes, making people happy, playing basketball (until age 70 in the Senior Olympics), watching sports and spending time with family, Ebben said.

And he most loved New Lenox to be known as "Home of the Proud Americans," she added.

Hill was the beloved husband of the late Jean (nee Grace) & Barbara (nee Fiedler) Hill. He was a a loving father of Doug (Cathy) Hill, Greg Hill, Tom Hill, Jackie (Steve) Ebben, and the late Mike and David Hill; step-father of Jim Hartney; proud grandfather of Miranda (Whittaker) Harpel-McGaw, Alycia (Andrew) Fast, Mason Hill, Michael Hill, Laura Hill, Katie Hill, Sarah Ebben, and Julia Ebben; and great-grandfather Kateri and Tapio Harpel-McGaw.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to New Lenox Food Pantry & Good Shepherd Manor (Momence) are encouraged.

Visitation is set for Wednesday, March 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at O’Neil Funeral Home, 1105 E. 9th St Lockport. Thursday family & friends will meet at St Jude Church 241 W Second Avenue, New Lenox, for visitation at 11:30 a.m., until time of funeral Mass 12 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Hickey Memorial Chapel (815) 485-8697.