The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
HEAT CAUSED DEATH.
Stephen HiIIiker Died Suddenly on
Friday Afternoon, Being Over
come by the Excessive Heat.

and most respected citizens of Leon,
died suddenly at his home in south
Leon last Friday afternoon, the result
of being overcome by the heat.
Although 81 years of age Mr.. Hilliker
was quite vigorous and enjoyed excep-
tional good health for one of his years.
He had been up town in the afternoon
and sold some potatoes to E. M. Coder,
saying he would go home and dig them
and bring them up. He went to his
garden and dug two bushel sack full,
placed them on a wheelbarrow to bring
them up town and went into the house
and sat down in rocking chair, when
he was overcome. Mrs. Hilliker passed
through the room just after he had sat
down and spoke to him but he made no
reply. She went into another room and
returned in a few minutes and again
spoke to him but receiving no reply
went to him and found that he was dead,
having evidently passed away immedi-
ately after sitting down. The day was
one of the hottest of this season, and
the physicians who examined him said
he had been overcome by the excessive
heat, the exertion of digging the pota-
toes in the broiling sun being too much
for him.
Stephen Hilliker was born in Oswego
county, New York, September 3, 1926,
and died at his home in Leon, Iowa, July
10, 1907, at the advanced age of so
years 10 months and 18 days.
Bro. Hilliker's early life was spent in
his native state. He was united in
marriage to Miss Paulina Bishop Sept.
15, 1S47, in Pulaski, New York, where
they continued to reside for number
of years. There were three children
born to this union, two sons and
a daughter. The daughter dying at 13
years of age. The sons are Adeibert
Hilliker, of Des Moines, Iowa, and
Charles T.. Hilliker, of Pulaski, New York.
The sons with their bereaved mother
and one sister, Mrs. Q. M. Lindsey and
five grandchildren and two great-grand-
children survive him. One great-grand-
child passed away about one month ago
going almost as suddenly as did Bro.
Hilliker.
In 1881 he came to Leon and for 20
years this has been his home. He was
a man without enemies, friends ever
many, | e had won the confidence and
respect of all who knew him.
He was converted when about %
years old and for 53 years exemplified
his religion by godly walk and con-
versation. His place in the church was
rarely vacant. His faithfulness was APP
parent to all who knew him. In his
earlier christian life he served his
church as Sunday school superintendent
and class leader. His religion was of
heevery day pattern. He was always
the same. During the So years of his
religious life he observed family wor-
ship with unwavering fidelity.
A son pays loving tribute to his
fathers consistent daily life. His
brother-in-law says that he never knew
him to commit wrong act.
Bro. Hilliker's passing was sudden, yet
for one whose daily life had been so
beautifully consistent, it seems the
ideal death. For him there We're no
long weary weeks of suffering preced-
ing the final summons. At the masters
call he laid down the life of toll to
enter the life triumphant. The Christ
who had cheered and helped him
through the trials and tolls of over so
years of devoted service, would be
sions beyond.
Bro. Hilliker will be greatly missed,
especially in the church, but his good
deeds will live after him. His example
can but bear testimony to the power
and beauty of the christian religion.
Funeral services were held at the Nj.
E.church Sunday afternoon, July 21st, at
8 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. L. Boyd,
interment being in the Leon cemetery.
Servant of God, we'll done.
Thy glorious warfare's past;
The battles fought,
The race is won,
And thou art crowned at last.