Edmund J. Hill

Edmund Joseph Hill, 87, of Russiaville, passed away August 14, 2023 at Primrose Retirement Community in Kokomo. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing, and has reunited with his loving wife of 64 years, Esther, who passed May 11, 2023.

Edmund was born July 28,1936 in North Vernon, Indiana to Herman Hill and Helen(Ley) Hill and was one of 9 children. He attended North Vernon High School and enlisted in the Air Force on August 17,1954. He married his beloved wife, Esther (Diekhoff), April 15, 1959, and together they had 7 children. On August 2,1991, Edmund retired as Chief Master Sergeant of Avionics (E-9) with the 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Force Base, and left his station being highly decorated after 37 years of honorable service. He was also a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Kokomo, as well as the VFW, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and the FOP.

Edmund loved gardening, spending time outdoors, hunting, camping, Indiana basketball, playing cards, and traveling, but found his greatest joy was in having the family all gathered together and having a good time.

Edmund is survived by his children, David (Tonya) Hill, Russiaville, Rita (John) Fearnow, Kokomo, Sandra Rice, Kokomo, Teresa (Tom) Smith, Russiaville, Brenda (Tim) Bargerhuff, Russiaville, Donna (Dan) Shipp, Russiaville, and James (Penny) Hill, Kokomo; siblings Margaret (Lawrence) Effinger, Madison, IN, Wilma (Gerald) Ramseyer, FL, Elizabeth (Eric) Henderson, Westport, IN, Gerald (Linda) Hill, Columbus, IN, and Alfred (Betty) Hill, Columbus, IN; as well as 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther, his parents, Herman P. and Helen T. (Ley) Hill, his brothers, Norman Hill, George Hill, sister, Virginia Scheller, and granddaughter, Ashley Shutt.

Viewing will be August 25, 2023 from 10:30 - 1:00 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church at 3155 S. 200 W. Kokomo, IN, 46902. A funeral Mass will be held at 1:00. Burial with Military Honors to follow at New London Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts in Edmund’s name be made to The Air Force Aid Society at www.afas.org .