Hilmer E. Boo, of Steger, Ill., formerly of Burns Harbor, passed away February 29, 2008. He was 85.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn (Pennington) Boo.

He is also survived by two sons, Michael of Chesterton and Barry of Steger; three brothers, Warren (Betty), Roger, Glenn (Louise) and one sister, Alice (William) Ernst.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Arvid and Irwin and one sister, Inga Kristina.

Hilmer served in the U.S. Army in both WWII and the Korean War. He was Service Officer of the Steger, Ill. V.F.W. for 37 years. He was an active member of the Steger Volunteer Fire Department for 31 years until retirement. He was also a Life Member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 and was recognized a few years ago for being a member for 50 years.

Hilmer was born and raised in Burns Harbor and in the Augsburg Lutheran Church in Porter. Having left Chesterton High School short of graduating, he worked the family farm while two older brothers served in WW2, then went into the Army when three younger brothers became old enough to help out. The Indiana State Legislature granted a special waiver for Hilmer to receive his diploma. In Nov. 2005, both Ralph Ayers, former Indiana State Rep. and Duneland School Superintendent Dirk Baer presented a high school diploma to Hilmer in front of members of the Class of 1941, 64 years after he would have graduated alongside them.

Funeral services, Rev. Eric Bernth officiating, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at Smits Funeral Homes-Steger Memorial Chapel, 3045 Chicago Rd. Steger, Ill. Interment will be at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Steger.

Visitation will be Friday from 3-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

For more information, call (708) 755-6100 or visit www.smitsfuneralhomes.com

Posted 3/5/2008