Flo A. Hilkens

Flo Hilkens, 84, of Erie, MI, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, May 20, 2018. Born December 31, 1933, in Erie, MI, she was the daughter of Ross and Hattie (Stock) Burgard. Flo married Thomas Hilkens on April 23, 1955. He preceded her in death on June 4, 2014. She was employed by the United States Postal Service for 35 years, retiring in 1988. Flo was a devout Catholic and a very active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Erie, where she served as sacristan at the Masses for the past eight years. She attended daily Mass and was a reader, commentator and Eucharist Minister of Holy Communion. Flo also served on the Worship Commission, was a member of the Altar Society and Lady Knights. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, watching the Detroit Tigers, bird watching and spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her loving children, Janice (Dennis) Seymour, Thomas (Faye) Hilkens, II, Carolyn (Bryan) Hanlon, Dale Hilkens and I. Marie Guna; sisters, Madeline Ausmus, Sr. Mary Ross and Sr. Mary Kent, SND, Susan (Robert) Darmofal and sister-in-law, Beverly Burgard; brothers, Daniel (Mary Ann) David (Marilyn), and Dale Burgard; 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Martin Burgard and sisters, Sr. Mary Dale and Sr. Mary Marc, SND.
Visitation will be from 2-8 pm, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at the Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, Temperance, MI, where the rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus, Wednesday at 4:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, May 24, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2214 Manhattan Street, Erie, MI, where she will lie in state after 10:00 am. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame or St. Joseph School. The family wishes to thank Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their care during Flo’s illness. www.pawlakfuneralhome.com