Dean and Josephine Hilliker
PHOENIX – Dean and Josephine “Jo” Hilliker were married for 68 years and 8 months before passing away peacefully from brief illnesses with family at their sides nearly one month of each other.
Josephine Carmen Provencio Hilliker, 89, was born in Los Angeles, California on February 22, 1931 and passed away on January 15, 2021. Dean Wellington Hilliker, 89, was born in Sylvan Lake, Michigan on September 16, 1931 and passed away on February 19, 2021.
Dean and Josephine continue their journey in Heaven together, forever, faithful in love. They were a beacon of hope and inspiration to so many, and were admired for their true and everlasting love for each other by everyone that knew them. Their memory will remain in our hearts forever. Dean and Jo met each other while working at Kress Department Store in downtown Phoenix. After dating a couple of times, Dean asked Jo if she wanted to date or to get married. Jo replied right away that she wanted to marry him. They were married on May 3, 1952 at Saint Mary’s Church in Phoenix, which is now Saint Mary’s Basilica and remained deeply in love for the rest of their lives.
Dean and Jo attended Phoenix Union High School. Jo worked hard to put Dean through college. He graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from Arizona State College, which is now Arizona State University. After graduating, Dean joined the Army and completed his obligated tour of duty as a First Lieutenant in 1957. He then began a long career as a Pharmaceutical Representative for Merck, Sharpe & Dohme for almost 35 years. Josephine worked as a telephone operator, volunteered as a Candy Striper, and worked as a buyer for the gift shop a Maryvale Hospital. She also worked at Moore Drug Store and Trophy World while tirelessly raising their six children. Dean and Jo worked very hard to provide for their large family. They made many sacrifices so they could afford to send all of their six children to Bourgade Catholic High School. Dean and Jo lived in Maryvale, Prescott, Gold Canyon, and in 2019 moved to Chandler to be closer to family. They built a big white school bus into a camper and took the kids camping all over the western United States for sometimes up to three weeks at a time. Dean and Jo also enjoyed going to many ASU Football games. Dean was a dedicated fan to all ASU sports.
Both Dean and Josephine will be remembered for their integrity, loyalty, kindness, caring, and profound love for their family. Josephine’s parents Henry and Frances Provencio precede her in death. Dean’s parents Patrick and Marjorie Harrington and Dean’s birth father James Leroy Hilliker precede him in death. Josephine is survived by her brother Raoul Provencio, her sister and brother-in-law Marcella and Manuel Silva, and her sister and brother-in-law Kathleen and Bill Fortner. Dean is survived by his brother and sister in-law John and Lorraine Harrington, his sister Patricia Sipes, and by his sister and brother-in-law Connie and Donald Davenport. Dean and Josephine are also survived by their six children: Dean Brian (Lee Ann), Mark (Mary), Michael, Steven, Jody (Mario Cavazos), Dina (Dan Stokich). Dean and Jo have 14 Grandchildren, 4 Great-Grandchildren, and 36 Nieces and Nephews.
A beautiful Mass of Christian Burial was held at Saint Mary’s Basilica on March 19, 2021 for both Dean and Josephine. The Mass was broadcasted live on the Saint Mary’s Facebook Home page and currently can be viewed at https://facebook.com/SMBasilica/videos Scroll down to the Rite of Christian Burial for Dean Hilliker and Josephine Hilliker. A Facebook account is not needed to view the Funeral Mass.
Dean and Josephine were laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona with a private burial and military honors ceremony on March 22, 2021. Attendance at the Funeral Mass and Burial were strictly limited due to the pandemic virus restrictions.
A celebration of life event for Dean and Josephine will be held later when it is safe to have a memorial gathering with family and friends in their honor. Our family is so very thankful to all who have shared their comfort and support in our time of need and grief.
Mom and Dad you will be dearly missed and never forgotten. Your memory will forever be engraved on our hearts. We know you will be watching us from Heaven and sending us your love. We remember, we celebrate, we believe. Eternal rest grant unto Dean and Josephine, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Please share your memories and personal messages with the family in the online Memories and Condolences Guest Book at obits.azcentral.com