Russell Eugene Hilker, son of Martin H. Hilker and Mabel E. (Olson) Hilker was born in Arapahoe, Nebraska on July 18 ^th , 1934, and entered into rest in Shenandoah, Iowa on Sunday, February 20 ^th , 2022, at the age of 87.

He spent the early part of his life in Arapahoe, Nebraska, where Russell graduated from high school in 1951. After graduating, Russell joined the United States Air Force in early 1954 to fulfill his dream of going to college, where he served as Airman First Class at Fairchild Air Force Base until he was honorably discharged in 1956.

On June 22, 1957, Russell was united in marriage to Charlotte Bice at the United Methodist Church in Oxford, Nebraska. After their marriage, they lived in Big Springs, Stratton, and Neligh, before settling in Essex, Iowa.

Russell attained a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1958 and later a Master of Science in Education in 1963 at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. His degrees gave him the opportunity to work as a teacher and principle at Big Springs High School between 1958 and 1964, and then Superintendent throughout multiple school districts between 1964 and 2008. He was the recipient of multiple awards, including an award for longest tenure of a school superintendent in the state of Iowa for his work at the Essex School District between 1970 and 2002.

Russell and his wife Charlotte enjoyed traveling, camping, spending time with family, and Nebraska Cornhusker football. He had a passion for the betterment of the Essex community and served as Mayor of the city for ten years between 2007 and 2017. His love for the community continued even through his retirement, maintaining relationships with city council and school board members and always "obeying" all stop signs on his daily drives through Essex. And of course, we can't forget The Windy Weather Report.

Preceding Russell in death were his parents, and his wife Charlotte. He is survived by his sons, Marty Hilker of Shenandoah Iowa, Barry Hilker of Westminster Colorado, Randall (Shannon Anderson) Hilker of Essex, Iowa, and John Hilker of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Adam (Lexi Everman) Hilker of Hinton, Iowa, Ian Hilker, of Omaha, Nebraska, Emily (Logan Fairweather) Hilker of Plano, Texas, and Jagger and Steele Hilker of Essex, Iowa.

Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Essex, Iowa.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 28, 2022 at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah, Iowa.  Burial will be held at the Essex Cemetery with military rites provided by the Shenandoah American Legion Color Guard.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Essex Community Club or the Essex Community Schools.