DYSART:  Otis F. Hilmer, 80, died Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton of complications due to surgery.
     Celebration of Life Services will be held Monday, February 19, 2007 at the Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church, 212 E. 4th St., Vinton, Iowa at 10:30 AM with Reverend Jan Ziskovsky officiating.  A luncheon will be served in the basement of the Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church following the service.  Interment will be at the Dysart Cemetery at 1:30 PM on Monday with Graveside Military Rites conducted by Myers-Gordy-Pippert American Legion Post #335 of Dysart.    
     A Prayer Service will be held Sunday, February 18th at 3:00 PM for family members.  The public visitation will be at Phillips Family Center, 605 2nd Ave, in Vinton from 4 to 7 PM on Sunday.
     Otis was born March 5, 1926 in Waterloo, Iowa to Henry and Hazel (Baish) Hilmer.  He attended Mt. Auburn and Dysart schools.  He served in the Marine Corps and received his basic training at Parris Island.  While in the service, he played the clarinet in the Marine Band in Sing Tau, China until he was discharged.  He began his work career in the tiling business after his discharge in 1946 and then did trucking in the winter.  Otis bought a dozer for soil conservation work in 1965 and continued in the conservation business until his death.  He was an artist and the soil was his canvas.  He has left his mark on the landscapes of Tama, Grundy and Benton counties.  He was a devoted husband and father and had a strong work ethic.  He loved music and loved to dance.
     Otis is survived by his beloved wife, Dorla, his son, Rev. Garth Hilmer of Empire, Michigan, his daughter Elaine (Timothy) Green of Minneapolis, Minnesota, his step-children Patrick (Sandy) Lyons of Vinton, Debra Lyons of West Des Moines, Iowa and Michael Lyons of North Liberty, Iowa, three grandchildren, Sarah Marie Green of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Wesley Lyons and Bailey Lyons of Vinton.
     He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, a brother Elwyn, and a sister Bernice Englebrecht.