Rev. Edward John Hiller entered heaven Saturday, at Hospice House of Laramie. He was born October 10, 1924, the second of six children of William John and Ida Leoda (VonStein) Hiller of Dola, Ohio. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Blocktown, Ohio, and grew up on the family farm. After graduating in a class of sixteen from Dola High School, he attended Capital University and Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained a Lutheran pastor in 1948. While serving as a pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran at North Star, Ohio, he met and married Lois Green, and their first child, Miriam was born. He then pastored a mission congregation in Dodge City, Kansas, where Paul was born. His third parish was at Gilead and Hubbell, Nebraska, where Sarah and Rhoda were born. He served parishes in Colfax and North Berne, Ohio; Ruskin, Nebraska; Napoleon and Glueckstal, North Dakota; and Fort Ransom and Preston, North Dakota. Upon retirement Edward and Lois moved to Laramie. There he was active in square dancing, line dancing, Laramie Garden Club, local theatre, and volunteered at the Territorial Prison garden, Meals on Wheels, Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Project, and tending the flower beds at Ivinson Memorial Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his parents William J.M. and Ida Hiller and his oldest brother Clarence. He is survived by his brother Kenneth, sisters Ruthella Kelly, Doris (Jim) Elwood and Marilyn (Dale) Amweg; his wife of 67 years, Lois; children Miriam Galbraith, Paul (Saundra) Hiller, Sarah (Dennis) Schiermeyer, and Rhoda (John) Burrows; seven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Dec. 5, 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, followed by interment at Greenhill Cemetery and funeral lunch at Trinity. Following the lunch, because Edward was instrumental in obtaining the pipe organ for Trinity, an informal organ concert will be held in his honor on Trinity’s organ. Any organists who wish to play are invited to do so.
Memorials may be sent to Samaritan’s Purse or the ELCA Good Gifts.
Condolences and cards may be sent to Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home, 2133 Rainbow Ave Laramie, WY 82070 for the family to receive.
Edward was a true servant of the Lord. I have never known a finer man. We were so very fortunate to have him as pastor of our church in Napoleon, North Dakota. It was a pleasure to have known him and the whole family. Thank you all for your service to our small community. Larry Zimmerman
Dear Hiller family, My condolences on your recent loss of your husband, father and grandfather. I remember the family well from the St. Paul Lutheran Church at North Berne. I especially remember Miriam as a beautiful girl and wonderful person at church and then in my junior high years when everyone combined at Bremen. Although I have been a Presbyterian for well over 40 years, I enjoy immensely working for my church as Ministries Advocate and Clerk of Session. Along with my mother and father, Mrs. Marie Miller, and Rev. Hiller, I discovered Christ at an early age and marvel still in His Grace bestowed upon me. May He comfort you at this time. Ed Pool
Pastor Hiller was a kind and loving man. Truly a saint in a world that needs them. Steve and Kim Zimmerman
Dear Lois and family I so wanted to attend Ed's funeral and am so sorry that I wasn't there. I hope you know I care and wish you comfort and strength during this time. Lois, if I can help in any way such as take you somewhere or anything else please let me know.
I’ve always thought of Pastor and Mrs. Hiller as two of the kindest people I’ve ever met. They “walked” their faith every day and showed this world what it meant to be believers and disciples of Jesus Christ. Pastor Hiller leaves a legacy of children and grandchildren, parishioners, friends and neighbors, and generations to come, of people who have and will change their world, living out God’s plan for their lives and serving & telling others about Christ. What greater legacy could anyone want? He is now made perfect in Christ, worshiping and glorifying him in all the splendor of his dwelling place, and is running and “skipping like a calf” as he’s reunited with family, friends and a cloud of witnesses who have gone before him! May you have comfort in your sorrow, knowing without any doubts, you’ll see him again, as your heart grieves your separation from him here on earth. Keeping your entire family in prayer.
I will always cherish his warm heart and caring spirit, remembering among my most important memories of him and Lois their attending our wedding and our visits in their home. I am consoled that he now worships in the glorious presence of our Savior, Whose ambassador he was so admirably.
We are sorry to hear of Pastor Hillers passing. We send our deepest condolences to the family. Pastor Hiller served at our church in Ruskin. Kevin was a classmate of Sarah in High School. Also we were neighbors to her and Denny. May you find comfort in knowing Pastor Hiller is at peace with our Lord and Savior.
We will keep everyone in our prayers. We have many memories of you all. May you feel God’s loving arms surrounding you as you mourn his loss. Larry and Judy Mikkelsen