Obituary Jesse J. Hilton, 81, of Washington, passed away at 4:30pm, Wednesday January 29, 2014 in Peoria. Jesse was born January 20, 1933 in Peoria to Jesse and Gertrude Mae Tompkins Hilton. He married Carol Haller on September 6, 1958 at LaMarsh Baptist Church in Mapleton; she survives. Also surviving are their children, Vicki (David) McClintick of Peoria, Cathy Sue (John) Jeffries of East Peoria, and David Allen Hilton of Washington; grandchildren, Ryan and Kevin McClintick; Mike and Brian Gielbelhausen, and Tara Gielbelhausen Michaels; a great-granddaughter, Addison, and one great-grandson due in April; and 3 sisters, Anna Mae DeLasso, Mary Cooksey, and Gertrude Foust. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Eldridge Arnold and Charles Snook, and 3 sisters, Golda Hart, Gladys Scheeley, and Mae Snook. Jesse served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1954. While serving, he earned three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart as a gunner in Mitchell B-25 planes. He later served as an aircraft mechanic for F-51 Mustangs, and some of the first jet aircraft, the F-84 and the F-86. He graduated from DeVry Chicago in 1960, and later opened Ivy Tech where he was qualified to train veterans under the GI Bill. He owned and operated Florentine Kitchen and Bath, Hilton Apartments, and Craft World, retiring in 1995. Jesse was a member of Bayview Baptist Church in Washington. He enjoyed camping and traveling, and wintered for 8 years in Texas' Rio Grande Valley with his wife. He also enjoyed woodworking, remodeling, fishing, and loved dogs. A visitation to commemorate Jesse's life will be from 6-7pm, Tuesday February 4, 2014 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in East Peoria. A service will conclude the visitation at 7pm. A graveside service will be held at 3 PM, Friday February 7, 2014 at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton. Pastor Keith Thibo will officiate. Cemetery Details Maple Ridge Cemetery Mapleton, IL, Visitation FEB 4. 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory - East Peoria 444 E. Washington Street East Peoria, IL, US, 61611 garydeiters@deitersfuneralhome.com Service FEB 4. 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory - East Peoria 444 E. Washington Street East Peoria, IL, US, 61611 garydeiters@deitersfuneralhome.com Graveside Service FEB 7. 03:00 PM Maple Ridge Cemetery Mapleton, IL, US