“Some glad morning when this life is o’er,
“I’ll fly away;
“To a home on God’s celestial shore,
“I’ll fly away.
“I’ll fly away, Oh Glory
“I’ll fly away;
“When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
“I’ll fly away.”
It wasn’t at all uncommon for Ricky to spontaneously break out into song. Often, it would be this verse and chorus from the hymn “I’ll Fly Away.” His family can attest to many Sunday afternoons when Ricky suddenly began to pat his knee and marched around the kitchen while he belted out “I’ll fly away, Oh Glory,” about as loud as he could (although, not quite as loud as his famous peacock call), all while he baked a batch of brownies. That was Ricky. Fun. Spirited. Humble. Kind.
Ricky Dean Hilterbrandt, 59, of Burtonville, flew away to his home on God’s celestial shore, and into the glorious presence of Jesus Christ on August 26, 2020.
He was born September 8, 1960, in Maysville to Nancye and Bernard Hilterbrandt.
Ricky was raised at Concord where he fell in love with the outdoors and learned to work hard. Ricky dedicated more than 30 years of service to Western Lewis Rectorville Water and Gas District as maintenance supervisor. He was a member of Burtonville United Methodist Church.
Ricky was a man of many talents and abilities, from sketching a country scene in his artbook to getting an old Massey Ferguson farm-ready. Ricky never knew a stranger and regularly went out of his way to help someone in need. Ricky loved to have fun; loved playing with his grandchildren; loved to bake; loved chocolate; loved to watch sports; loved to hunt; loved to fish; loved to garden; loved to vacation; loved his family; and loved the Lord. Ricky fundamentally appreciated and was satisfied by the simple things in life.
Ricky is survived by his wife and “sweetie” of 39 years, Karen Hardymon Hilterbrandt; a daughter, Ahren (Bryan) Purcell, and grandchildren, Anson Castle, Adelina Purcell, and Aerilyn Purcell; a son, Adam Hilterbrandt; his mother, Nancye Hilterbrandt; his mother-in-law, Ruby Hardymon; his nieces, Kim Foust and Melanie Groves; and his nephews, Brad Hilterbrandt, Cory Hilterbrandt, and Chad Hilterbrandt.
Ricky was preceded in death by his father, Bernard Hilterbrandt; his father-in-law, Charles Hardymon; and his brothers, Randy and Todd Hilterbrandt.
Services will be Monday, August 31, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at Tollesboro Funeral Home and Cremation Services with Bro. Mike Ishmael and Bro. Bryan Purcell officiating. Burial will follow in Burtonville Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 31, 2020, at Tollesboro Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Serving as pallbearers will be Adam Hilterbrandt, Anson Castle, Brad Hilterbrandt, Cory Hilterbrandt, Chad Hilterbrandt, and Bryan Purcell.
