Carl Dean Hillis

Carl Dean Hillis, 91, of O’Fallon, Missouri, passed away on March 29, 2025, at Hampton Manor of Wentzville. He was born on June 18, 1933, in Jerusalem, Arkansas to Carl and Ola Mae Hillis.

Carl was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was known for being a godly man, proud Korean war veteran, a gifted poet and storyteller, an exceptional athlete and lover of all things outdoors.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Ellen Higgins Hillis, his sister Joyce Hillis Garstka and his children Melinda Troxel (Jim Troxel) and Patrick Hillis (Paige Hillis). He is also survived by his grandchildren Kayla Eardley (Ray Eardley), Kendall Mathews (Ian Mathews), Parker Hillis (Jena Hillis), and Preston Hillis and great grandchildren Aiden Mathews, Easton Eardley and Emerson Eardley. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl Joseph Hillis and Ola Mae Stroud Hillis, and his siblings June Hillis Huffman, Bobby Hillis and Richard Hillis.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Ne-O-Tez summer church camp through the O’Fallon Church of Christ, 8576 Veterans Memorial Parkway, O’Fallon, Missouri, 63366.

“Tread softly on this bleeding earth,

Here sleep brave men until the time.

They hear their maker sweetly say,

I come to claim those that are mine”

-Carl Hillis, 1992