Mr. Cecil Mark Hilton, 89, of LaHarpe, IL passed away at 1:20 p.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, IL.

He was born in Macomb, IL on October 30, 1926, the son of James and Bessie Smock Hilton. On April 15, 1954 he married Maxine Settles in Macomb, she survives.

Cecil attended country schools and graduated from Macomb High School in 1944. After high school he joined the United States Army and served two years stationed in Italy. Cecil then farmed in Macomb area and until he moved to LaHarpe in 1954 to continue farming until his time of retirement. He enjoyed buying bicycles, tricycles and scooters for the Christmas Tree at the First State Bank of LaHarpe, which he did for several years. Cecil was a former member of the LaHarpe Lions Club and a member of the Macomb V.F.W. and American Legion. He enjoyed meeting with his high school classmates at the Macomb V.F.W. to talk about the good old days and watch the Cubs play baseball.

His only regret was not living long enough to watch little Mark grow up.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine, two sons, James Mark Hilton and Joseph Gary Hilton both of LaHarpe, one granddaughter, Stephanie Marie (Justin) Bougher of Macomb, one great-grandson, Hayden Mark Bougher of Macomb, one aunt, Lotus Hilton Webb of Macomb, several cousins and one nephew.

Mr. Hilton was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, one nephew and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Rev. Jim Clayton officiating. Burial with Military Rites will follow at the Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb. After the burial everyone is invited to the Ponderosa in Macomb for a time of food and fellowship. Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions will be used to purchase gifts for the annual Christmas Tree at First State Bank of LaHarpe.