J. Marc Hillwig, 70, of East Brady died Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the VA Community Living Center, Butler.

Born January 19, 1947 in East Brady, he was the son of Raymond H. “Nick” and Margie (Murphy) Hillwig.

Marc was a 1965 East Brady High School Graduate and earned his Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Clarion State College.  He was a substitute teacher in the Armstrong and Karns City School districts for many years.  In the mid 1970’s, Marc was the Armstrong County Civil Defense Director and played a great role in organizing relief efforts and reopening roads after the 1980 Bradys Bend Flood.  Marc then became a salesman for Bowman Distribution, a job that he kept until his retirement in 2003.

A proud US Navy Vietnam Veteran, Marc courageously served his country on the USS New Jersey.  Years later, he enjoyed his annual USS New Jersey reunion trips.  For his service, he was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon and a Combat Action Ribbon.  Marc was most recently Commander of the Jones/Connor American Legion Post #402 in East Brady.

Marc was a member of St. Eusebius Roman Catholic Church in East Brady and the Sons of Italy in Bradys Bend.  He was an avid hunter and enjoyed his yearly fishing trips to Potter County. He loved foraging for mushrooms, experimenting in winemaking, reading his collection of Military History books and magazines, tending his garden and using the vegetables in recipes he always shared with his friends and neighbors.   Everyday, Marc tried to walk 10,000 steps and used that walk as an opportunity to visit with all of East Brady.  Friday nights during football season were spent with his “Friday Night Lights” gang, traveling Western Pennsylvania watching the best high school match up of the week.  No matter what he did, Marc always had a good time.  We were all fortunate to know him. 

Surviving is his daughter Nicole Fry and her husband Sean of Prospect, and his son, Karl V. Hillwig currently serving our country in Qatar.   3 Grandchildren, Coby, Julia and Allison Fry will dearly miss their Pap-Pap Hillwig. 

Marc is also survived by his step-father O. Jack Latshaw of East Brady, and a large extended family and friends. 

Friends of J. Marc Hillwig will be received from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM Monday, October 9, 2017 at Buechele Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc. 707 Kellys Way, East Brady, PA 16028.

A Parish Prayer Service will be held in the Funeral Home at 3:00 PM Monday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at St. Eusebius Church with the Rev. William Kuba officiating.

Military Honors and Burial will be held 11AM THURSDAY, October 12, 2017 in St. Eusebius Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, the Hillwig family suggests memorial contributions be made to the East Brady Development Corporation PO Box 355, East Brady, PA 16028

To view or express condolences, please visit www.BuecheleFuneralHome.com

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