Mark Ray Hilton

Mark, beloved son, brother, and uncle passed away on July 13, 2015 at the age of 87 of natural causes in Superior, Montana.  He was born on February 10, 1928 in Britton, South Dakota to Harold and Helen (Bennett) Hilton.  Mark was raised on their farm where they raised turkeys and other “livestock” including oxen used for plowing.  He and his sister Betty rode horses to school.  Mark loved and excelled in science classes.  He also loved the outdoors and was a good hunter and fisherman.  As a result of the depression era, the family moved to Superior, Montana where Mark graduated from the local high school in 1945.  Mark enlisted in the army shortly after graduation serving as both an artillery forward observer and as a weather observer.  He was in the army reserves for 8 years after being discharged from active duty. 

Mark attended the engineering school at the University of Utah for one year and Multnomah College for two years where he became an expert in refrigeration and air-conditioning, and was a member of the Refrigeration Service Engineer’s Society.  He ran a refrigeration business for many years first in The Dalles, Oregon and later in Superior, Montana.

Mark’s mother founded and owned Hilton’s Grocery store which she turned over to Mark to run upon her retirement. 

Besides fishing and hunting, Mark enjoyed getting firewood, doing word puzzles and spoiling his cat.  On his winter trips to Arizona, he became interested working with rocks to make jewelry, belt buckles, and bolo ties like the one in his picture. 

Mark loved cowboy hats, sheepskin moccasins, “high-test” coffee and strawberry waffles!  He will always be remembered for his sharp wit, dry humor, and many kindnesses.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty Jane Baraby of Wallace, Idaho and his nephew Harold Baraby, also of Wallace.  He is survived by his niece Naomi (Rick) Barth, and nephews Bruce (Debra) Baraby of Wallace and Charles Baraby of Boise, Idaho along with several cousins, great nieces and nephews. 

The family asks that donations to the Superior Library (where Mark spent a lot of time) be made in lieu of any other kind of remembrance.

His graveside services will be at the Superior, Montana cemetery on Thursday, October 15th at 11:00 a.m. with Homer Mills, pastor of the Wallace Church of God, officiating.