Eldon Hill Celebration of Life

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

ELDON FRED HILL, MD

January 11, 1921 - April 26, 2023

“The meaning of life is to find your gift; the purpose of life is to give it away.”

— Picasso

4:00 Welcome Blessing Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Meredith Hill Stockord

4:05 Welcome Blessing Carter Hill

Share your memories and stories of how Eldon’s generosity impacted your life, family, friends, students, or the residents of Loyal.

4:25 “Make me a channel of your peace”

— Sebastian Temple Honor Guard

Sarah Hill

American Legion Post 175 (Outside rain or shine)

4:30 Children’s Choir School District of Loyal

5:00 Social Sandwiches, salad, chips, and Wisconsin cheese curds

Water and Lemonade - Cash bar

(Bouncy House open until 7:00)

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Eldon Fred Hill, MD

Eldon Fred Hill, a retired Obstetrician-Gynecologist, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2023, at the age of 102, in Redmond, WA. Eldon was born in 1921 to Harold and Anna Hills in Loyal, WI.

After completing his undergraduate studies and pharmacy training, Eldon relocated to Madison, WI, to pursue his medical degree. Following his service in the Navy, he completed his internship at Miller Hospital in St. Paul, and met his future wife, Josephine (Joey) Dedolph. They settled in Spring Valley, WI, where Eldon established his General Practice, from 1949 to 1959. Following the rich experiences of being a Family Physician, the family moved to Salt Lake City for Eldon’s 3-year residency in OB-GYN. In 1962, Eldon and his family moved to Eau Claire, WI, where Eldon and Joey raised their family. They eventually separated. Eldon continued to practice as an OB-GYN, until his retirement at 65 years of age due to Meniere’s disease.

In 2014, Eldon decided to give back to the community that raised him in Loyal by donating the majority of his estate to endowments at the Eau Claire Community Foundation that benefit Loyal students. He was inspired by the Draper and Hills families, as well as Anna Hills, Bernice Draper, her parents, and Bessie Edsall, who instilled in him the importance of education and saving for the future. The Draper Hills Scholarships were established to support graduates of Loyal High School who have demonstrated exceptional talents and are likely to benefit from post-secondary education in both academic and vocational areas. The Financial Literacy Endowment supports a full-time teacher to provide financial literacy education to students in grades K-12 in Loyal, with evening classes available for adults as well. Eldon’s generosity will continue to impact the community for years to come.

Eldon’s last major donation was a $150,000 matching grant towards the City of Loyal Splash Pad Project. Funding for the Project is almost complete.

Like scattered seeds, memories bloom forever.

Eldon's legacy is carried on by his seven children and their partners: Dr. Carter Hill and Dr. Winnie Mann, Peter and Joanne Hill, Meredith and Curt Stockford, Andrea and Dr. Michael Bacharach, Dr. Sarah Hill, Dr. Barton and Debra Hill, and Charlie and Christine Hill, along with 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. His ex-wife Josephine Hill and son Nathan Hill preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations in Eldon's memory be directed to Planned Parenthood, the Draper Hills Scholarship Fund, and/or the Draper Hills Financial Literacy Endowment. Donations can be made online through www.eccfwi.org, or checks can be sent to the Eau Claire Community Foundation at 306 S. Barstow St. Suite 104, Eau Claire, WI 54701, with the Fund name noted on the memo line.

Thank you for attending Eldon Hill’s celebration of life

The Hill family extends a special thank you to the American Legion Post 175 Honor Guards and Auxiliary, Cuddie Funeral Home, and the Children’s Choir from the School District of Loyal.