John Hellick Hill

John Hellick Hill, 85, of Britt, passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services for John Hill will be held on Friday, September 21, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the Evangelical Free Church, 810 2nd Avenue NW, in Britt with Pastor Stan Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

John was welcomed into the family of Helmer and Mary (Faust) Hill of Kanawha, Iowa on September 4, 1927. John grew up on the family farm, helping his parents and brother care for livestock and the planting and harvesting of crops.

John enjoyed baseball immensely. At 15 years old he was the winning pitcher for Corwith when they won the 1943 State High School Baseball Championship. His brother, Harold hit the winning run that day as John crossed home plate to give Corwith the victory. John graduated at 16 years old from Corwith High School in 1944 and continued to help on the family farm for the next two years, despite being offered scholarships to play baseball at three different colleges. In 1947 John and Harold were both invited to attend spring training in Vero Beach, Florida with the Brooklyn Dodgers. John played with the Dodgers farm team, the Pulaski Counts in Virginia for two years. In the spring of 1949, John returned home to play baseball for the Bancroft Lions in the Semipro Iowa State League. He continued to pitch for eight years for Bancroft, Mason City and Albert Lea teams.

On September 3, 1949 John married the love of his life, Evelyn Newton. John and Evelyn enjoyed farming southwest of Britt for over 50 years and took great joy in raising their four children. John was an excellent manager and was a hardworking farmer, taking care of many head of cattle, sheep and hogs along with tending to his crops. John sheared sheep in the area for many years. His carpentry skills included building barns and remodeling their home.

John was an active member of the Britt Evangelical Free Church serving as a board member, church chairman, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, Awana helper and usher.

He was also involved in the community as a school board member for nine years, of which five years were as chairman. He volunteered as a mentor for the Britt High School baseball team. John received numerous awards, including Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year, Cattleman of the Year, Champion Pork Producer and Master Swine Producer. He organized and served as Master of Ceremonies for fundraisers for the Britt School District.

John was a fiscally conservative man but had a very kind and generous heart, which he shared with many over the years. Friends and family appreciated John’s engaging cheerfulness and humor throughout his life. He loved the Lord very much. He said shortly before his death that choosing Jesus was the best decision he ever made, with marrying Evelyn the second best choice of his life. Those two decisions changed John’s life. He was always grateful for the many blessings God had given him over his lifetime.

John will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Evelyn and his children: Lorraine (Jim) Amelsberg of Forest City, Iowa; Connie (Brad) Field of New Richland, Minnesota; Sharon (Charlie) Sweers of Lake Mills, Iowa; Jeremy (Denise) Hill of Bondurant, Iowa; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jessica (Chris) Hansen, Amelie and Isaiah; Dave (Val) Amelsberg, Ethan, Ava, and Lydia; Cheston (Erin) Field, Isaac, Cadence, and Adalee; Clark (Audra) Field; Carson Field; Ben (Julie) Sweers, Tyler and Jadyn; Melissa (Brandon) Prichard; Johnathan, Jackson, and Hannah Hill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harold, son-in-law Tom Anderson and grandchild Adam Anderson.