Joie Elaine Hilton

Joie Elaine McKean Hilton, age 94, died Wednesday, November 26, 2014 in Rigby, Idaho. Joie was born March 14, 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah, a daughter to Joseph Emery McKean and Ruth Elizabeth Larsen McKean. She attended schools in Dividend, Goshen and Payson, Utah. She attended the UofU then Nurses Training at LDS Hospital School of Nursing in Salt Lake. She later continued her studies at BYU and earned that University’s first BS in Health Education. She began a Master’s Degree at BYU, but married, never returning to her studies. She served in the United States Army during WWII as RN, Second Lieutenant at Madigan General Hospital, Fort Lewis, Washington, and DeWitt General Hospital in Oakland, California. She worked as a scrub and OR circulating nurse before and during the war. She served a 20 month mission for the LDS church in the Hawaiian Islands and developed a great love for the Polynesian people. In 1954 she was called to serve on the LDS YWMIA General Board. She was released in 1958 and many of those associates became her life long friends. At age 38, she married Clement P Hilton, October 31, 1958 in the Salt Lake City, Utah LDS Temple and became a wife, mother and grandmother; these titles are most cherished to her. Together they served as President and Sister of the North Central States Mission 1960-1963. Following their return, they served as missionaries at the Mormon Pavilion in the NYC World’s Fair 1964-1965. They later served as tour guides for Nauvoo Restoration 1968-1970. Additional church service incudes: Relief Society President, Young Women President, Relief Society and Gospel Doctrine teacher, Stake Relief Society Counselor and President. In her single years she enjoyed painting, drawing, music, dance, fencing, the outdoors and tennis. Later in life she enjoyed music, genealogy, family, church service and friendships. Survivors include a son, David McKean Hilton of Saratoga Springs, Utah, and three daughters, Janice (Bob) Abbott of American Fork, Utah, Marilyn (Earl) Israelsen of Logan, Utah and Vicki Joie (Clair) Eckersell of Rigby, Idaho, 20 grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren. Her name, Joie, lives on as many of her posterity are named after her. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one sister, three brothers, two sons-in-law, and two grandsons. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 1, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the American Fork North Stake Center 975 N. 60 E., American Fork, Utah. The family will visit with friends on Saturday November 29, 2014 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel 101 West Main St., Rigby, Idaho and on Monday from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center. Burial will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery 2224 S. 200 W., Bountiful, Utah on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. The family extends its appreciation to the staff of Hearts For Hospice in Idaho Falls, Idaho for their kind and gentle care. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.