Vera T. Hilton, 210 N. Cedar St., New Castle, PA passed away at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Jameson Hospital after an extended illness. She was 85.
Mrs. Hilton was born December 2, 1926 in New Castle a daughter of Hillary and Hazel Hiler Gardner and was raised by Clement and Thelma Gardner.
A lifelong area resident, she attended New Castle schools.
Vera was a homemaker and a member of Mary, Mother of Hope Parish.
Years ago, she was a finisher at Shenango China Company for fifteen years.
Surviving are: three sons, James Hilton, III and his wife Rebecca; Clement 'Jan' Hilton; and Eugene E. Hilton, all New Castle; a sister, Marie Robertson, Sun City, Arizona; fifteen grandchildren; and 26 great grandchildren.
She also leaves a daughter-in-law, Karen Hilton, Industry, PA; a sister-in-law, Henrietta Gardner, New Castle; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Vera was preceded in death by a son, Gary Lee Hilton; a great grandson, Jason Hilton, Jr.; two brothers, William and Buzzy Gardner; a sister, Honey Stevens; and two daughters-in-law, Bette Hilton and Sue Harding.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 960 Penn Ave., Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2012, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.
Mass of Christian burial will be 9 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2012, in St. Mary's Church, with the Rev. Victor J. Molka, Jr., pastor, as celebrant.