Aleene M. Hill

Aleene M. Hill, age 93, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at Residential Living Center in Garnett, Kansas. She was born November 30, 1922, in Iola, Kansas, the daughter of John and Ruby Hazel (Anderson) Gearhart. When Aleene was four, she begged to go to school with her big brother. Since the country school teacher had very few students at the time, she said Aleene could attend school if her big brother would bring her. But, her early schooling soon ended when the family moved into town and she was too young to attend the city schools. In high school, she boarded with a family in Chanute and graduated from Chanute High School. Aleene was saved around the age of 12 when her family attended a revival. A few days later, her parents were also saved. That summer, Aleene and her parents, along with her brother Murle, were baptized in a nearby river. Robert and Aleene were one of the founding families of the Garnett Nazarene Church. Later, she especially enjoyed calling Bingo for the Long Term Care Residents. Later, they became members of the First Baptist Church. She married Robert M. Hill on November 26, 1941 in Leona, Kansas. This union was blessed with three daughters. They lived in Iola, Kansas for several years before making their home in Garnett. Aleene was a homemaker and a second mom to several neighborhood kids. As the family grew, Aleene went to work as a cook at Anderson County Hospital and eventually became the head dietician. She worked at the hospital until she retired. Since she spent so many years at the hospital, it was only natural for her to volunteer with the ACH Auxiliary. Later, she especially enjoyed calling Bingo for the Long Term Care residents. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, and tatting. She made most of her children's clothes as well as sewing for others. When she had her third daughter, Robert insisted she needed a new sewing machine with all those girls in the family. Aleene was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruby Gearhart; brother, Carl Laverne Gearhart; and one great grandchild, Norah Davidson. She is survived by her three daughters, Louann Hewlett and husband Richard of Burlington, Kansas; Roberta Romig and husband Ronald of Garnett, Kansas; and Shirley Davidson and husband Donald of Quenemo, Kansas; four brothers, Murle Gearhart; Nelson Gearhart; Francis Gearhart; and Lorraine Gearhart; eight grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and 11 great-great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 22, 2016, at the First Baptist Church in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 1:00 PM until the time of service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chamber Players Community Theater. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com