Jack Hilgers, Jr.

Jack Edward Hilgers, Jr. passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, KS. He was born on November 4, 1945, in St. Louis, MO to Jack Edward and Laverne (Leuthauser) Hilgers, Sr.

Jack grew up in Hays, KS and graduated from Hays High School in 1963. He attended college at Fort Hays State University, Northern State University in South Dakota, and later finished his teaching degree at Fort Hays. He taught physical science, computers, general math, and physics at Plainville High School for 27 years. Jack loved to teach; he would say he loved to see the lightbulbs come on in the kids’ heads. He strongly supported the kids that struggled.

Jack had a passion for family. He married his wife, Fontaine Thiele on August 6, 1966, in Norton, KS. Together they shared raising their two children Jeff and Holly, building their home, golfing, farming, and traveling. Jack and Fontaine built their home together, doing most of it by his own design and their own labor. Jack also had a great passion for farming. He put to practice skills he learned from his grandfather, John Hilgers. Jack enjoyed golfing with his wife and friends, collecting coins, and for a while even had a pilot’s license and flew a small airplane. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. One time while Fontaine was out of town babysitting Sophia and Michael, Jack and his grandson Jaden made a spontaneous decision to leave together in the middle of the night for the Grand Canyon.

Jack was a Vietnam War Veteran earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was also a member of Messiah Lutheran Church.

A dedicated husband, father, teacher and farmer, Jack was a man who loved his Lord, Jesus Christ, and passed that love on to his family so it would continue to grow and be nurtured in their lives. He not only tended the farm ground, but also the hearts, minds, and souls of all who knew him. His legacy will live forever in our hearts and lives.

Jack is survived by his wife, Fontaine of Plainville; son, Jeff (Erin Chinn) Hilgers of Augusta, KS; daughter, Holly (John) Pandich of Pinehurst, NC; brothers, Phil (Nanette) Hilgers of Plainville and Steve (Lynn) Hilgers of Hays; sister, Jane (Bob) Karlin of Houston, TX; and four grandchildren: Jaden and Maddy Hilgers, both of Wichita, KS, and Sophia and Michael Pandich, both of Pinehurst, NC.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Laverne Hilgers, Sr.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 10:30 AM, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main Street Hays, Kansas 67601. Graveside service will follow at 2:00 PM at the Plainville Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be on Friday, April 14th from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home in Plainville.

Memorials are suggested to Tunnel to Towers or Messiah Lutheran Church and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.