Philip Hilvers

OTTOVILLE – Philip Hilvers, 84, of Ottoville died 6:35 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2024 at his residence.  He was born August 18, 1939 in Lima to the late George and Lucinda (Miller) Hilvers.  On June 17, 1961 he married Carol Nartker, who survives in Ottoville.

Also surviving are 5 children:  Connie (Jim) Rhodes of Ottoville, Sandy (Matthew) Gasser of Fort Jennings, Brian (T'rissa) Hilvers of Pandora, Jeff (Richard Miller III) Hilvers of Dayton and Terri (Kent Downing) Wagoner of Ottoville; 10 grandchildren:  Derek (Megan) Sargent, Aaron (Elaine) Sargent, Philip (Sarah) Sargent, Kelly (Parker) Davis, Jonathan Rhodes, Dustin Hilvers, Dakota (Nate) Blevins, Dallas (Audrey Lane) Hilvers, Josh (Macy Dellow) Schroeder and Nathan Schroeder; 8 great-grandchildren: Wyatt and Cameron Sargent, Landon Sargent, Cadence, Oliver and Bexley Davis and Mylee and Maverick Dellow; a sister: Jane Bonifas of Landeck; 3 sisters-in-law:  Norma Hilvers of West Virginia, Jane Hilvers and Kathy Hilvers, both of Ottoville; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law:  Gene and Carolyn Nartker of Kalida and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by a son-in-law: Richard "Dick" Wagoner; 3 brothers:  Paul Hilvers, Gerald Hilvers and Mark Hilvers; a brother-in-law:  Richard "Bunny" Bonifas and his father-in-law and mother-in-law:  John and Leona Nartker.

Phil retired from General Motors, Defiance in 2000, where he had been a millwright.  He was also a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville.  He served in the Army National Guard for 8 years and was a life member of the Ottoville VFW Post 3740.

Phil was very active in Putnam County serving in many capacities. He was a Charter Member of the Putnam County EMS that was established in 1974.  He was also a member of the Putnam County Red Cross Disaster Unit and had been a member of the Putnam County CIC Board.

Phil was equally dedicated to his community.  He was a member of the Ottoville EMS for 34 years and served as chief several times.  He was also a member of the Ottoville Volunteer Fire Department from October 1967 until August of 2004, acting as chief from 1986 to 1987. Phil was a former member of Ottoville's Board of Public Affairs.

There will be a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2023 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville with the Very Reverend George Mahas officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery at a later date.  There will be an Honor Guard by the Putnam County Honor Guard and military rites by the Ottoville VFW and the Fort Jennings American Legion following mass.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township, where a scripture service will be at 1:45 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Putnam County Homecare and Hospice, the Immaculate Conception Roof Repair Fund, the Ottoville EMS or the Ottoville Fire Department.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.

Putnam County Homecare and Hospice
575 OG Road Suite 3, PO Box 312, Ottawa OH 45875
Tel: 1-419-523-4449
Web: http://www.pchh.net

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Ottoville OH 45876

Ottoville Fire Department
Ottoville OH 45876

Ottoville EMS
Ottoville OH 45875