Obituary of Thomas Dale Hillman

Thomas Dale Hillman, 72, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 26, due to complications from a recent stroke.

Tom was born June 24, 1949 in Duluth, Minnesota, son of Clarence and Irene Hillman. He graduated from Denfield High School in 1967, and enlisted in the United States Air Force serving in Vietnam.

Tom married Sandra Jo Savage in 1970. He earned an Associate’s degree at Duluth Area Institute of Technology (DAIT) in 1974. Tom worked at Target in Duluth for over 20 years and then spent 20 years with Saint Louis County, retiring in 2011 from the Saint Louis County Jail, where he was a Corrections Officer. Tom was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, walking in the woods, and feeding the birds. He was devoted to his family and his close friends, especially the Gregorich family.

He will be remembered for his humor, his caring spirit, and generous heart.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sister Beverly Olesiak, brother Bruce “Buck” Hillman, his in-laws Truman Savage, Ted Holm and Ethel Holm; brothers- in-law Steve Savage and Jeff Holm; and his beloved dogs.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra, his children, Rachel (John) Vilsack and Bret Hillman, his sisters Judy (Clark) Morrison, Kathy (Rick) Archambault, brothers-in-law Joe (Jeanne) Savage and David Holm, sister-in-law Chris Bergeson, and many nieces and nephews. Tom was dearly loved and will be sadly missed.

Please join us to celebrate Tom on Sunday, July 18 from 1-3pm at Sammy’s Pizza and Restaurant in Hermantown (4310 Menard Drive). Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Minnesota.