Paula Rae Hildebrand

Paula Rae Hildebrand, beloved and cherished Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend; passed from this world at 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. Born February 25, 1936 at Palestine, Illinois, she was the first born child of Albert Raymond Oldham and Jennie Pauline (Nethery) Oldham. Paula lived in the Morea and Palestine, Illinois areas most of her life and graduated from Palestine High School in 1955. On the evening of December 22, 1956 she was united in holy matrimony to Larry Lee Hildebrand who survives and mourns her passing. Of this union two children were born, Sherry Renae Hildebrand in 1958 and Steven Leon Hildebrand in 1962, who also survive and mourn for their Mother. Paula was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. In 1967 she and her family moved to Chicago, Illinois where they lived for many years. In 1995, Paula and Larry retired back to Crawford County, making their residence near Trimble, Illinois. Paula worked many years as a secretary for Sears Roebuck & Co at the Sear Tower, also First National Bank of Chicago and Andy Frain Security. After returning to Trimble, she worked for Stewart Security for several years. Paula enjoyed gardening, pampering her many cats and she was a voracious reader. Paula was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Katherine Chapter #637, Robinson, IL. She was a past Worthy Matron of Palestine Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. In her retirement years, Paula studied for and received her CNA certification. She was also a Ham Radio Operator, with the call sign K9FPS, she was sometimes known as “Fuzzy Pink Slippers”. She, along with her husband Larry (K9CSO), was a member of the Crawford County Amateur Radio Club. Paula leaves many to grieve her passing, her husband, Larry Lee Hildebrand, Trimble, IL; daughter, Sherry R. Hildebrand and her partner Richard R Gray, Robinson, IL; son and daughter-in-law, Steven L. and Theresa (Haugh) Hildebrand and grandsons, Joshua and Jack Hildebrand, Chicago Ridge, IL; sister and brother-in-law, Carl and Sharon (Oldham) Preston, Hardinville, IL; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Patricia (Reynolds)Oldham, Decatur, IL; brother-in-law, Dick Hildebrand and his lady friend Emma Riley, both of Robinson, IL; dear lifelong friend Moonyeen Turner, Palestine, IL; niece, Sharri Lynn (Preston) Brown and her husband William David Brown and their daughters, Audrey and Lindsey Brown, Clarksville, TN; nephews Mark, Karl and Bruce Oster, Indiana; nephew, Jon Hildebrand and his wife Natalie (Kuriata) Hildebrand and their children Roame and JJ Hildebrand of Frederick, MD. nephew, Richard Hildebrand, Overland Park, KS and his children Cierra Hildebrand, Livermore, CA and Colton Hildebrand, Thrall, TX; niece, Robin (Hildebrand) Foley and her husband David and their children, Samantha Allen, Amanda Foley, Megan Foley, Holley (Foley) Ramirez, Jeri Foley and A.J. Foley all of Clearfield, UT; nephew, Wil Hildebrand, his wife Lisa and their children, Trevor, Noland and Cavan of Anchorage, AK. Paula is preceded in death by her parents, Albert Raymond Oldham and Jennie Pauline (Nethery) Oldham and sister, Nancy (Oldham) Claypool. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8 at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine, IL. Burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7. Eastern Star Services will be held following the visitation at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crawford County Spay Neuter Foundation with envelopes available at the funeral home. Cards of condolence and sympathy may be sent to her family at 15220 E. 1400th Ave. Palestine, IL 62451.