Evelyn Hipes

Evelyn "Bill" Hipes, 77, of Harding, formerly of Ottawa, died peacefully, Tuesday morning, February 7, 2012 at Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center, surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2012 at St. Patrick's Church in Ottawa with Rev. Joseph Donton officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2012 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 4:00 p.m. with the Catholic Daughters of America. Burial will be at St. Columba Cemetery. Evelyn was born November 21, 1934 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Everett and Alma (Kendall) Smith. She married Walter T. Hipes, Jr. on July 27, 1957 at St. Patrick's Church. He died September 15, 2009. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church. Evelyn was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School and Grace Downs Finishing School. She was an airline stewardess for Capital Airlines until she married. Later in life, she was employed by Ottawa Elementary Schools and also the Daily Times. Evelyn was a Eucharistic Minister, a volunteer for Catholic Services at Pleasant View Lutheran Home, and a member of Catholic Daughters of America. She loved the Lord, and prayed and read her Bible daily. Evelyn enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, gardening, and recreational activities with her husband of 52 years. She loved people and was friendly to everyone she met. She is survived by her six children, Mary (Ken) Miller, Elizabeth Katrein, Matthew (Laura) Hipes, of Ottawa, Kathleen (Bill) Batkiewicz of Bourbonnais, Bart Hipes of Streator, and Stewart (Lisa) Hipes of Morris; seven grandchildren, Dr. Rachel (Dr. Nick) Butler of St. Louis, Sara (Lyndon) Matson and Erica (Joe) Galloy of Bourbonnais, Jason Batkiewicz of Nashville, TN, Zachary, Andrew, and Sophie Hipes of Morris; and a great-granddaughter Ava Matson of Bourbonnais. She was preceded in death by her parents and her three sisters, Mary Belle Stout, Virginia Anderson, and her twin, Alma Rexroat, as well as her three brothers, Truman Smith, Cecil Smith, and Everett (Smitty) Smith. Pallbearers will be Jason Batkiewicz, Joe Galloy, Lyndon Matson, Dr. Nick Butler, Jeff Beldon, and Tim Gaspar. Evelyn enjoyed life and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick's Church, St. Michael the Archangel School, or the American Cancer Society.