John I. Hill, 85

LEWES - John I. Hill of Lewes died Monday, July 9, 2007, at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He was 85.

Mr. Hill was born April 9, 1922, in Wilmington, son of the late Charles W. Jr. and Mary (Thornton) Hill.

He was a veteran of World War II, and fought in Patton"s Third Army, seeing action in all five major battles in the European front.

After an honorable discharge, Mr. Hill worked as a sheet metal mechanic for 40 years, and as a furniture maker off and on for 20 years.

He enjoyed boating, playing the guitar and telling jokes to anyone who would listen.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jean Hill, in 2003; one son, Francis Joseph Hill; and one grandchild.

He is survived by two sons, Andrew P. Hill of Bristow, Va.; John M. Hill of Chestertown, Md.; one daughter, Jacqualine Helmer of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Dennis Roman Catholic Church, Galena, Md. Interment will be held in the Delaware Veterans Cemetery in Bear.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, Attn: Gift Processing.

Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown.