St. Clair County Obits

JUDGE CHARLES EDGAR HILLEGAS

Lowry City Independent
2 May 1929
Judge C.E. Hillegas Passes
The people of Lowry City and community were shocked and saddened last Friday, at the news of the sudden death of Judge C.E. Hillegas, which occurred at his farm home two miles northeast of Lowry City at about 2 o’clock that afternoon.
Mr. Hillegas had been building some new windows into the kitchen at his home. At the noon hour he ate dinner, and a short time later became ill and was obliged to lie down. He suffered intense pains about the heart and stomach and became very sick. Mrs. Hillegas telephoned to Dr. Leo S. Wright and was given instructions as to what should be done for her husband’s relief, but within a few minutes time she called the doctor again and told him to come at once. Dr. Wright left immediately for the Hillegas home, accompanied by Mr. Hillegas’ brother, J.W. Hillegas, who was in Lowry City at the time.
Mr. Hillegas had passed away before they arrived, he having breathed his last while his little daughter, Irene, held his head in her hands.
Mrs. Hillegas and daughter were the only members of the family with him at the time, a son, Gene, the other member of the home circle, having gone to a neighbor’s after some medicine for his father’s relief.
In a lifetime spent in St. Clair County, the county of his birth, Charlie Hillegas has enjoyed a wide circle of friends, and since his election to the office of Presiding Judge of the St. Clair County Court, in 1926, he has enlarged this acquaintance until it reaches into all parts of the county.
On Sunday afternoon, friends and relatives gathered at the Lowry City M.E. Church to attend the funeral services. The church was filled to overflowing, with one of the largest crowds that ever attended a funeral in this city. Many were unable to get inside the building and stood in groups in the church yard during the services.
Following the service at the church, the body was conveyed to the Lowry City cemetery where interment was made.
Charles Edgar Hillegas, eldest son of William and Huldah Hillegas, was born in St. Clair county, Missouri, July 9, 1869, at the old homestead now owned and occupied by his brother, J.W. Hillegas, 4 miles northeast of Lowry City, and died April 26, 1929, at the age of fifty nine years, nine months and seventeen days.
In this locality he grew to manhood and on December 31, 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Nettie Gonser. To this union ten children were given, all of whom survive with their mother. They are: William Edgar Hillegas of Kansas City, Kansas; Mrs. Bernice Amos of Madison, Saskatchewan, Canada; Dan Hillegas of Lowry City; Mrs. Faye Nichols of Oak Park, Illinois; Harley Hillegas of Kansas City, Missouri, and Mrs. Hazel Stewart of Lowry City, twins; George Hillegas of Lowry City; Gene Hillegas of the home; Mrs. Ina May Neuenschwander of Moberly, Missouri, and Irene Hillegas of the home.
He is also survived by eight grandchildren; his aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hillegas of Lowry City; two brothers, J.W. and M.E. Hillegas, and three sisters, Mrs. T.S. Wears, Mrs. D.M. Cooper and Mrs. B.C. Shepherd, all residents of Lowry City or community.
At the age of eighteen he was converted and united with the Methodist Church, in which organization he held membership until his death. He took an active part in the life of his church, having served on its board of stewards; as superintendent and teacher in its Sunday school, and as a member of the choir.
In 1926, he was elected to serve the county of his birth as presiding judge of the county court, and held that office with honor and distinction. His fairness to all people, in the important discharge of his duties, endeared him to his associates and those with whom he came in contact.
Mr. Hillegas was a member of Lowry City Camp 5412, Modern Woodmen of America.
Funeral services were conducted at the Lowry City M.E. Church at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon by the Rev. Roy Brown of Grace M.E. church at Osceola. The music consisted of favorite hymns of the deceased: “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Golden Bells”, “Asleep in Jesus”, “It Is Well With My Soul”. Interment was in the Lowry City Cemetery.
Pall bearers were: H.A. Haverland, E.C. Crump, E.M. Cooper, W.M. Foster, Clem browning and Wm. Bunch.
The many friends in Lowry City and community join in extending deep sympathy to the family in their bereavement.

Card of Thanks
We desire to express our heartfelt thanks to the many friends for their assistance and sympathy following the death and at the funeral of our loved one. We extend appreciation to the minister and those who furnished music at the funeral; also for the beautiful floral offerings.
Mrs. C.E. Hillegas and Children.
Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Hillegas and Children.