Ted F. Hilbert, 78

Ted F. Hilbert passed away Saturday, April 12, 2008, of cancer, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born November 5, 1929, the second child of Mike and Dorothy (Gehring) Hilbert in the back room of the old Keuterville, ID store. Losing his mother at 18 months of age, he went to live with his grandparents for the next 8 years.

A life long Catholic, he started serving mass at age 6 and attended St. Gertrude's Academy. He graduated from Cottonwood High School, and then attended Gonzaga University where he was active in boxing.

He was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force and was stationed in England and Germany as astatistician.

He returned to Cottonwood, ID to help his father, stepmother and 7 siblings. He was a bar owner, deputy, and did taxes for Forsmann Accounting during tax season. In 1953, he went to work for Hoene Implement in Grangeville and was there for the next 30 years, purchasing it in 1976. In 1987, he opened H & H Service in Grangeville where he retired from on September 20, 2006. Whether it was for tax returns, payroll needs, or just to visit about cribbage or football, H & H Service was a revolving door for clients who became more than friends....they were family.

He married Parilee (Pete) Farley in August 1954 and they made their home in Grangeville, raising their 5 children in the country on Happy Hallow Road. She preceded him in death in 1988. In 1989, he married the love of his life, Isabel Engel, in Grangeville. They spent the next 19 years sharing their lives in their business, with their children, numerous friends, and their community. They were truly lifelong partners and they were the best of friends!

Ted had many, many accomplishments in his life. He would tell you the greatest accomplishments of all were his children and grandchildren. He was past Commander American Legion-Cottonwood; life member of the VFW; he helped build and was Past President of the Grangeville Gun Club; Past Exalted Ruler and secretary/treasurer of the Grangeville Elks Club. Ted was an avid Whitebird cribbage player and champion; he also spent as much time as he could trap shooting, hunting, and especially fly fishing, tyinghis own flies. Fondest memories are of watching the wildlife, riding horses, hunting, fishing, and spending time together at the family cabin at Anderson Meadows.

Ted is survived at the family home by his wife, Isabel Hilbert; son Jeff Hilbert and wife Denice and grandson Jeremy Skeen of Lewiston; daughter Amy Bond and husband Dave and grandchildren Thomas Webb, Afton Bond, and Tanner Bond of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; stepson Luke Engel and wife Sheila and grandchildren Gage Engel and Samantha Engel of Oregon City, Oregon; stepdaughter Lori Giese and husband Kirk and grandchildren Crystal Giese and Kirk Giese Jr. of Goldendale, Washington; son Nick Hilbert and wife Shawna and granddaughters Caitland Charley, Whitney Charley, and Rochelle Hilbert of Grangeville; son Wade Hilbert of Fenn, and fiancée Sheri White and grandson Kenneth Hilbert of Kamiah; daughter Anna Hilbert and her partner Sam Reeves and grandson Jonathan Reeves of Grangeville; sisters Joan Applegate and husband Tom, Shirley Rogers, Judy Gunter, Donnie Zellers, Bobbie Schmidt, Betty Ann Hilbert, and brother, Michael Hilbert Jr..

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pete; and numerous dogs, cats, chickens, horses, hamsters, and 1 snake.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, from 5-7 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home, 305 N. Mill St., in Grangeville. A rosary will also be held on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m., at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, April 16, at 10:30 a.m., also at the church. Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Keuterville Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 279 Grangeville Salmon Road, Grangeville, ID 83530 or online at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com. Live, laugh, love!