Jerald Ray Hilt, son of the late Wayne and Vinita (Sluder) Hilt, was born Aug. 21, 1946, in Mountain Grove, and passed away Nov. 5, 2021, at his residence in Norwood. He was 75 years, 2 months and 15 days of age. Jerald grew up in the Norwood area and graduated from Norwood High School with the Class of 1964. He worked for the railroad as a welder and retired from there. He also had a farm north of Mountain Grove for several years. After retirement and selling the farm, he moved back to Norwood. Jerald loved going to the senior center in Mountain Grove to play Bingo, visiting friends and telling stories. Oh, you can imagine the stories that were told! His family was very special to him, especially his grandchildren. He loved giving them suckers, getting them all hyped up and then sending them home with their parents. He was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Besides his parents, Jerald was preceded in death by wife, Sharon Hilt, and a brother-in-law, Ted Ault.
He is survived by his wife, Vonna Hilt; his children, Mark Beard and wife, LaDonna; Denise Douglass, and husband, Steven; Russ Hilt and wife, Kay; and Deanna Davis and husband, Jason; his grandchildren, Ian Beard; Zoey Beard; Christian Douglass; Seth Douglass and wife, Treasure; Levi Hilt and wife, Cierra; Kelsey Lowden; Khloe Davis and husband, Tim; Rachel Boatright and husband, Chayil; Jared Davis; Joseph Davis and wife, Amber; Abby Rodgers and husband, Matt; and James Davis and wife, Whitney; great-grandchildren, Oakley, Sawyer, Lane, Riley, Payton, Audrey, Marcus, Lydia, Brooklyn, Claire, BradLee, CiceLee, Avery, Lane and Liam; his bonus children, Lynda Quinn and husband, Karl; Leslie Cornelison and husband, Mike; and Robyn Slain and husband, Steve; his bonus grandchildren, Elizabeth Quinn; Winston Quinn; Taylor Piles and husband, Jason; Chase Cornelison; Ty Slain; and Lexie Slain; his brothers, Van Hilt and wife, Jo; and Ronnie Hilt and wife, Lana; his sister, Janice Ault; and other family and friends who will miss him very much. Funeral services for Jerald Hilt were held at 2 p.m on Tuesday, Nov, 9, 2021, in the Whetstone Baptist Church of Mountain Grove. Officiating were Pastor Jason Davis and the Rev. John Williams. Special songs were “Amazing Grace” and “Someday” by the Kelly’s. Pallbearers were Ian Beard, Seth Douglass, Levi Hilt, Jared Davis, Joseph Davis, James Davis, Chayil Boatright and Matt Rodgers. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery of Mountain Grove under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mountain Grove. The family has requested memorial contributions be made to Whetstone Baptist Church or Mountain Grove Senior Center in memory of Jerald.
