Hilmar J. Denu, 91, Dubois

Hilmar J. Denu, 91, of Dubois, passed away at 7:50 a.m. CT, on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at Walnut Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit in Evansville.

Hilmar was born in Dubois on September 20, 1927, to Anthony Sr. and Cecelia (Hentrup) Denu. He married his wife of 67 years, Rosemary “Rosie” Pieper, on September 1, 1951, in St. Celestine Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on December 15, 2018. 

Mr. Denu was a 1945 graduate of Dubois High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served during World War II and a member of the VFW Post #673 and the American Legion Post #147. He was a member of St. Isidore Parish – St. Raphael Campus, the Jasper Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Dubois Jaycees and the Dubois Community Club. He was a member of the Young Democrats and he served as a county commissioner from 1960 to 1975 and a Precinct #1 Committeeman for 21 years for Columbia Township. He worked for Wabash Valley Produce as a poultry service manager and retired after 49 years of service. 

He is survived by five children, Sharon Pizzato (Allan) of Birmingham, Ala., twins, Diane Knies (Bernie) of Celestine and Daniel Denu (Cheryl) of Jasper, Alice Schitter (Rick) of Ireland, and Nancy Mendel (Patrick) of Ireland; 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

He was the last surviving member of his family.  

Preceding him in death was his wife, Rosie Denu; one brother, Anthony Denu Jr.; three half-sisters, Matilda (Denu) Sullivan, Evelyn (Denu) Bauer, and Leona (Terwiske) Howell; and seven half-brothers, Leo J, Albert, Emil and Gilbert Denu and Odillo, Ralph and Joe Terwiske. 

A Mass of Christian Burial for Hilmar J. Denu will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 5, 2019, at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Dubois with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The VFW Post #673 will conduct military gravesite rites. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, 2019, at the Becher-Kluesner North Chapel in Jasper. The St. Isidore Parish will pray the rosary at 10:45 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Isidore Parish, the Dubois County Museum, Dubois Ruritan Club Community Center Endowment, or a favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.