Donald “Don” Howard Hilliker, 79, of Wellington, died Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at home surrounded by family. Born on December 17, 1946, in Oberlin, he was the son of the late Howard and Frieda (nee Tudor) Hilliker. Don was a lifelong resident of Wellington and a 1964 graduate of Wellington High School. Following graduation, he attended Bowling Green State University and then enlisted in the United States Army in 1967. Don served 3 tours of duty in Vietnam with the Army Security Agency as a Morse Code interceptor and then a year and a half in Japan.
Don worked for Lorain Medina Rural Electric, retiring in 2009. He was an active member of the Wellington First Baptist Church where he served as the choir director for 36 years. Don was also a member of the Black River Stamp Club, the American Legion, and was the treasurer of the Friends of Herrick Memorial Library. He enjoyed genealogy, stamp collecting and military history. Don was also a talented musician and artist, making cross stitch and painting by numbers.
Survivors include his loving wife of over 52 and a half years, Glenda (nee Dalton) Hilliker; children, Jason (Holly) Hilliker, of South East Asia, Janell (Ken) Mckinley, of Wellington, Jeremy (Angela) Hilliker, of Marysville, PA, and Jessica (Nathan) Joppeck, of Wellington; grandchildren, Natalia, Michael, Jacob, Ansley, Viola, Lillian, Kaitlyn, Audrey, Savannah, Eleanor, Owen, Westen, and Ivy; great grandchildren, Claire and Celiah; sister, Linda (Ted) Hyde, of Wellington; and sister-in-law Bernice Hilliker. Don was preceded in death by his brother Gary and his grandson Tyson McKinley.
Friends and family will be received on Sunday, March 22, from 3-6 p.m. at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 South Main St, Wellington. A memorial service will be held on Monday at the Wellington First Baptist Church beginning at 11 a.m. A private burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.
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