Michael S. Hilfirty1,2 
M, (20 January 1968 - 15 March 2009)
Michael S. Hilfirty was born on 20 January 1968 at Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.1,2 He was the son of John A. Hilfirty and Janet Ralph.1 Michael S. Hilfirty married, at age 26, Debra Ann Biichle, daughter of Harold LaRue Biichle and Gloria Mathias, on Sunday, 12 June 1994.1 Michael S. Hilfirty died on 15 March 2009 at Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, at age 41 years, 1 month and 23 days.1,2 A memorial service for Michael S. Hilfirty was held United Methodist Church, Duboistown, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, on 21 March 2009 at 3 p.m. with Reverend Doris M. Nolan officiating.1 Michael S. Hilfirty was buried in the Twin Hills Memorial Park, located in Fairfield Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.1
His obituary was published on 17 March 2009 in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, printed in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. His obituary stated:
Michael S. Hilfirty, 41, of Williamsport, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2009 in the Hershey Medical Center, after a strong and courageous five and a half year battle with mantel cell lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma).
Born in Philadelphia on January 20, 1968, he was the son of Janet Ralph of Troy and John "Jack" Hilfirty; husband of Martha of Williamsport.
Mike had worked in construction on steel buildings and was a former disc jockey, known as Pegasus II D.J. Service. He was an avid Nascar fan, and enjoyed rock and roll music. Mike loved to travel with his wife, whether just a day trip by car to explore surrounding areas or a two week long visit to his favorite destination, Australia. He especially loved his cats Blazer and Purlin. A real jokester, Mike was also a kind and generous man whose sense of humor made every moment memorable.
Mike was an inspiration to all who knew him and to almost three hundred people around the world who shared his journey with lymphoma through several internet sites. His strength and drive to fight this disease was an encouragement to others. Mike often received messages from people telling him how his courage helped them deal with their battles or those of loved ones.
In addition to his parents, Mike is survived by the love of his life, soul mate and best friend, his wife of 14 years, Debra A. Biichle Hilfirty, whom he married on June 12, 1994; two step-daughters, Darla M. Willits of Cogan Station and Dianne J. Willits of Williamsport; one step-son, Derek L. Willits, husband of Kristin of Lansdowne, VA [PA]; one brother, John A. Hilfirty, Jr., husband of Dana of Concord, NC; one sister, Kimberly C. Hilfirty and her companion Art McClements of Jersey Shore; five grandchildren, Warren Potts of Cogan Station, Alena Willits and Zaniiah Willits, both of Williamsport, and Emma Willits and Alison Willits, both of Lansdowne, VA; parents-in-law, Harold and Gloria Biichle of Williamsport; sister-in-law, Donna and Larry Gondek of Gakona, AL; four nieces; seven nephews; two great nieces; and two great nephews.
Mike was preceded in death by a brother, Kenny W. Hilfirty, on August 29, 2003.
A celebration of Mike's life will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009 in the DuBoistown United Methodist Church, 133 Summer St., DuBoistown, PA 17702, with The Rev. Doris M. Nolan of the Hershey Medical Center officiating. Inturnment will be in the Twin Hills Cemetery, Montoursville, at a later date, however no graveside service will be held. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 p.m. until the time of the service, Saturday, at the church.
Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 W. Main St., Hummelstown, is handling the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Central PA Chapter, 800 Corporate Circle, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110; or to the National Bone Marrow Donor Program, 3001 Broadway St., NE, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55413-1753, please write "Michael Hilfirty" on the memo line for contributions to help defray donor registration costs. Online donations can be made at www.marrow.org. Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.1 According to the Social Security Administrations Death Index Michael's last known residence was Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.2
His obituary was published on 17 March 2009 in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, printed in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. His obituary stated:
Michael S. Hilfirty, 41, of Williamsport, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2009 in the Hershey Medical Center, after a strong and courageous five and a half year battle with mantel cell lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma).
Born in Philadelphia on January 20, 1968, he was the son of Janet Ralph of Troy and John "Jack" Hilfirty; husband of Martha of Williamsport.
Mike had worked in construction on steel buildings and was a former disc jockey, known as Pegasus II D.J. Service. He was an avid Nascar fan, and enjoyed rock and roll music. Mike loved to travel with his wife, whether just a day trip by car to explore surrounding areas or a two week long visit to his favorite destination, Australia. He especially loved his cats Blazer and Purlin. A real jokester, Mike was also a kind and generous man whose sense of humor made every moment memorable.
Mike was an inspiration to all who knew him and to almost three hundred people around the world who shared his journey with lymphoma through several internet sites. His strength and drive to fight this disease was an encouragement to others. Mike often received messages from people telling him how his courage helped them deal with their battles or those of loved ones.
In addition to his parents, Mike is survived by the love of his life, soul mate and best friend, his wife of 14 years, Debra A. Biichle Hilfirty, whom he married on June 12, 1994; two step-daughters, Darla M. Willits of Cogan Station and Dianne J. Willits of Williamsport; one step-son, Derek L. Willits, husband of Kristin of Lansdowne, VA [PA]; one brother, John A. Hilfirty, Jr., husband of Dana of Concord, NC; one sister, Kimberly C. Hilfirty and her companion Art McClements of Jersey Shore; five grandchildren, Warren Potts of Cogan Station, Alena Willits and Zaniiah Willits, both of Williamsport, and Emma Willits and Alison Willits, both of Lansdowne, VA; parents-in-law, Harold and Gloria Biichle of Williamsport; sister-in-law, Donna and Larry Gondek of Gakona, AL; four nieces; seven nephews; two great nieces; and two great nephews.
Mike was preceded in death by a brother, Kenny W. Hilfirty, on August 29, 2003.
A celebration of Mike's life will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009 in the DuBoistown United Methodist Church, 133 Summer St., DuBoistown, PA 17702, with The Rev. Doris M. Nolan of the Hershey Medical Center officiating. Inturnment will be in the Twin Hills Cemetery, Montoursville, at a later date, however no graveside service will be held. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 p.m. until the time of the service, Saturday, at the church.
Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 W. Main St., Hummelstown, is handling the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Central PA Chapter, 800 Corporate Circle, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110; or to the National Bone Marrow Donor Program, 3001 Broadway St., NE, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55413-1753, please write "Michael Hilfirty" on the memo line for contributions to help defray donor registration costs. Online donations can be made at www.marrow.org. Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.1 According to the Social Security Administrations Death Index Michael's last known residence was Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.2
Last Edited=18 Mar 2014
Citations
- [S1971] "Michael S. Hilfirty obituary," Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 17 March 2009, online archives (http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/… : accessed 3 February 2010). Kevin Leonard Sholder, Dayton, Ohio, USA.
- [S1969] Social Security Death Index, RootsWeb online, at <http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/> (Baltimore, Maryland: U.S. Social Security Administration, 28 January 2010 update). The SSDI component of RootsWeb online is drawn from the Social Security Death Benefits Index of the U.S. Social Security Administration. MICHAEL S HILFIRTY, birth listed as 20 Jan 1968, died listed as 15 Mar 2009 (V), issued in the State of Pennsylvania. Last residence Williamsport, Lycoming, PA 17701, last benefit (none specified). Accessed 5 Feb 2010.