Obituary for Shirley Hile

Shirley Hile

December 9, 1925 – May 11, 2020

Shirley J. Hile, 94, died Monday, May 11, 2020. Services are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at a later date.

Shirley was born December 9, 1925 to Walter and Minnie Scott in Hickman, NE. She was the second of seven children in a very close-knit family. She loved to tell stories of growing up in simpler times where playing paper dolls meant cutting out dolls and clothes from magazines. Or of playing ball with her siblings in the yard.

After graduating from Hickman High School, Shirley earned her BA in music and education at the University of Nebraska. She was a member of Delta Omicron Music Sorority. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Oklahoma State University. Shirley began her career as a Music teacher in Schuyler, NE where she taught for two years.

On June 28, 1949 Shirley married Donald Hile in Hickman. Together they had four children – Tom, Jim, Chuck, and Amy. They lived in Lincoln, NE, Kansas City, KS and eventually Ponca City, OK.

Shirley resumed her teaching career in 1966 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ponca City as the kindergarten teacher. Two years later, the kindergarten programs moved to the public schools and she accepted a position at Roosevelt Elementary School where she taught for 18 years. She retired in 1987. She also taught private piano lessons from home throughout the years.

Shirley was very family-oriented and enjoyed participating in her children’s activities whether it be music, sports or scouts. Her love of music extended to her children in that all four participated in band and/or orchestra. Family reunions with her siblings and their families were also important to her, often taking vacations together. She loved to travel. She and Don went to Europe twice and on a cruise through the Caribbean. They also traveled all over the United States and Canada attending Naval reunions and American Legion events.

Shirley was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as a Sunday/Bible School teacher, played in the Bell Choir, and served several terms as Deacon. She was an American Legion Auxiliary member for over 80 years. One of Shirley’s greatest passions was quilting. She especially enjoyed quilting with her friends in the Stitch Witches group. She was a member of the Pioneer Area Quilters Guild and served as president one year. Shirley was known for the many beautiful quilts she created and took every opportunity to “Show and Share” her work.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, sister Dixie and husband John Kerr of Hastings, NE, sister Joan and husband Frank Manley of Kansas City, MO, brother-in-law Dale Harlan of Hickman, NE, sister-in-law Laverne Scott (wife of Bill) of Lincoln, NE.

Surviving Shirley are her children Tom Hile (wife, Toni) of Tulsa, OK, Jim Hile (wife, Vhie) of Sparks , NV, Chuck Hile (wife, Michelle) of Ramona, CA, and Amy Hile of Bartlesville, OK. She is additionally survived by her grandchildren, Gina Taylor (husband, Drew), Angie Hile, Brandon Hile, Mallory Hile, Peter Hile, Donald Hile II, Monica Hile, and her granddog Rylee.
Also surviving are brothers Bill Scott of Lincoln, NE, Harley Scott (wife, Lois) of Hickman, NE, sisters Sharon Harlan of Hickman, NE, and Claudette Moyer (husband, Gary) of Leawood, KS, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Via Christi Village for the wonderful care she received while a resident there. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Chuch, 1505 E. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home