James A. Hilsabeck died on the morning of Saturday, March 7th, 2015. Jim was born on November 13, 1935 to Adelbert L. and Inez M. (Abbey) Hilsabeck in Ferguson, Iowa. He graduated from Marshalltown High School with the Class of 1953. In July of 1956 he was married to Frances De Grado and they were the parents of four children, Michael, David, Patrick and Ann Marie. They were married for 42 years before she died in 1998, He married Patricia Prochaska of Marshalltown in 2000. Jim is survived by his widow, Patricia; children, Michael, David, and Ann Marie : Step-children Valerie, and Amy. Also surviving are sisters Marilyn Jackson and Charlene Burton; Brother Larry Hilsabeck; and 12 grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Frances; son, Patrick; Half-sisters, Alice and Edythe; Half-brother Delbert M.; Sisters Jeanne Frey, Shirley Keller and brother, Leslie V.

                                               Life Legacy

James A. Hilsabeck died on the morning of Saturday, March 7th, at the Iowa River Hospice Home. Following cremation, memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 12th, at St. Mary Church. Father Greg Bahl officiated. Guests were in attendance from the Grundy County Honor Guard, the Marshalltown Fire Department, Iowa River Hospice Home, MHS Class of 1953 and St. Mary’s Cathlolic Church. Military honors were performed by Veterans of Foreign Wars Harry C. Harter Post #839 and American Legion Frank Lewis Glick Post #46. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown.

Jim was born on November 13, 1935 to Adelbert L. and Inez M. (Abbey) Hilsabeck in Ferguson, Iowa.

He graduated from Marshalltown High School with the Class of 1953. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in June of that year and spent 15 months in Korea with the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine division.

In July of 1956 he was married to Frances De Grado and they were the parents of 4 children, Michael, David, Patrick and Ann Marie. They were married for 42 years before she died in 1998.

He married Patricia Prochaska of Marshalltown in 2000.

Jim joined the Marshalltown Fire Department in February 1962. In July of 1972, he was promoted to Fire Marshal and spent 12 years in that position before being promoted to Chief of the Department in 1984. In 1993 he retired after nearly 32 years with the department.

He was a member of St. Mary Parish; a past member of International Association of Firefighters, Fire Marshal’s Association of North America, International Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Fire Chiefs and Iowa Paid Fire Chiefs Association.

He is survived by his widow, Patricia; children, Michael (Lana) Hilsabeck of Fort Worth, TX., David (Kim) Hilsabeck of Marshalltown, Ann Marie (Skip) Bromstedt of Columbus, Mo., : Step-children Valerie (John) Purcell of College Station, TX., and Amy (Gary) Bennett of Blue Springs, MO. Also surviving are sisters Marilyn Jackson and Charlene Burton; Brother Larry Hilsabeck; and 12 grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Frances; son, Patrick; Half-sisters, Alice and Edythe; Half-brother Delbert M.; Sisters Jeanne Frey, Shirley Keller and brother, Leslie V.

                                                                                  Class of 1953 60th Reunion 

                                                      Class of 1953 55th Reunion