Obituary: John J. Hillmann

John J. Hillmann, age 93, a resident of Brillion West Haven, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.  

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ohn was born on October 1, 1932, son of the late Henry and Esther (Wenzel) Hillmann.  He attended Trinity Ev. Lutheran School in Brillion where he was confirmed on April 14, 1946.  John was a graduate of Brillion High School with the class of 1950.  On June 20, 1953, he married Janice Utke at St. John-St. James Lutheran Church in Reedsville. Janice preceded John in death on March 4, 2012 after 58 years of marriage. John worked at the Brillion Iron Works for over 40 years and retired from the Production Office. He was a member of St. John-St. James Lutheran Church in Reedsville. John enjoyed sports, playing cards, and traveling. 

He is survived by his children: Joy (Rev. Jim) Bolda, Sheboygan; Jane (Rev. Tom) Schneider, Sioux Falls, SD; Judy (Larry) Boettcher, Brillion; and Jeff (Molly) Hillmann, Green Bay; his grandchildren: Jace (Kayla) Bolda, Franklin; Jenna (Rev. Ben) Schmudlach, Kenai, AK; Dr. Abigail (Bryant) Polzin, Sioux Falls; Emily Schneider, Sioux Falls; Jesse Schneider, Milwaukee; Molly (Michael) Schroeder, Delano, MN; Marissa (Tim) Maertz, DePere; Landon (Alexandra) Boettcher, Muskego; Taran (Adam) Denor, Brillion; and Callen (Grace) Boettcher, Whitelaw; great grandchildren: Owen Bolda, Sawyer, Nora, Josiah, and Sadie Schmudlach; Hannah, Rory, and Jacob Polzin; Lucas, Jackson, and Adam Schneider; Micah, Marshall, and Maci Schroeder; Adaley and Tucker Maertz; Walter Boettcher; Jack Denor and Leland Boettcher.  John is further survived by his brother: Fred Hillmann of Brillion, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  

 He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: John and Delia Utke; granddaughter: Ashley Boettcher; his sister and brother-in-law: Delores and Cyril Schwalenberg; and his sister-in-law: Toni Hillmann.

Funeral Services for John will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, February 13, 2026 at St. John-St. James Lutheran Church, Reedsville. Officiating at the service will be Rev. Darin Aden with burial at St. John-St. James Westside Cemetery. 

The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Friday from 9:00AM until 10:45AM. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be appreciated to St. John-St. James Lutheran Church, Reedsville.

John’s family would like to thank Pastor Flitter and Pastor Aden, St. Croix Hospice, the caring staff at West Haven in Brillion, and many family members and friends. 

The Pielhop Funeral Homes of Reedsville & Brillion are assisting the Hillmann Family with arrangements.