John David Hill

John David Hill, 86, of Sioux City died in the loving and caring arms of his wife, Jeanie, on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a time of remembrance at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

John David Hill was born on July 5, 1920, in Rockport, Ind. He was the only child of David and Mary (McMillin) Hill. He grew up on a farm in southern Indiana, where he spent much of his childhood behind a plow with a team of mules. He was salutatorian of his high school class and lettered in track, baseball and basketball. Additionally, he played the trumpet in the band, was a drum major with the marching band and even hosted a radio talk show at a nearby station in Evansville, Ind. Following his graduation from high school in 1938, John hitchhiked to Indiana University in Bloomington and enrolled in the school of business. He was one of the few members of his family to attend college.

He graduated with honors from the University of Indiana, where he also was recognized as the ROTC Cadet of the year. John was shipped overseas as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in August 1942. He spent the next three years in the South Pacific Theater of World War II.

When the war ended, John returned to the U.S. and remained on active duty at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., until he met and married Jane (Mahoney) Hill in April 1947. She passed away in October 1997 in Sioux City. In 1998, he met Jeanie Ann Reynolds, and they later married in April 2004. He ultimately spent 23 years in the U.S. Army in regular and reserve service, retiring in 1965 as a lieutenant colonel.

Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Sioux City, where John took a sales position with Sioux City Brick and Tile, a company founded and managed by his wife's family. Also, John was the general manager from 1948 to 1962 for the Steel Structure business. In 1962, he began construction on the first tunnel kiln in the state of Iowa in Sergeant Bluff. He went on to build three more tunnel kilns in the state of Iowa, building in Adel in 1968 and 1978, and a second in Sergeant Bluff in 1972. Later, he became vice president of administration. In 1988, he was named chairman of the board and remained chairman until his death. John became a major force within the company during his 58 years of service. His strong work ethic and visionary leadership enabled the company to prosper and grow, far surpassing the dreams and goals of its founders. His devotion and loyalty to the company were unparalleled; he was at work the day he suffered the debilitating stroke on Dec. 4, 2006, that

ultimately took his life.

Throughout his life, John was an avid golfer and sports enthusiast. He looked forward to the NCAA basketball tournament each spring, especially during the years that Indiana was such a strong contender for the national championship. He was still on the golf course last fall, playing his final round in November 2006 at Dakota Dunes, his favorite golf course. He was able to realize the dual goal of every golfer that is to "shoot your age" (which he achieved sometime in his late 70s) and to have at least one hole in one.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Ann Reynolds Hill of Sioux City; three children, Mary (William J.) Watt of Kenilworth, Ill., J. David (Martha) Hill of Minneapolis, Minn., and Jim (Freda) Hill of Shaker Heights, Ohio; eight stepchildren, Mike (Jane) Reynolds of Lincoln, Neb., Bob Reynolds of Omaha, Julie (Rob) Dirks of Ankeny, Iowa, Mary Reynolds of Omaha, Pam (Sassan) Jahan-Shahi of Henderson, Nev., Susan (Vince) Walding of Chesterton, Ind., Lisa Reynolds of Omaha, and Jackie Reynolds of Omaha; nine grandchildren; and 13 stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Jane (Mahoney) Hill.

Pallbearers will be Mark Mahoney, Norman Mahoney, Mike Bergin, Mike Holmes, David Clausen and Bill Heckert.

Memorials in John's name may be directed to the Sioux City Gospel Mission, Holy Spirit Retirement Home or Habitat for Humanity.