Hillis L. McCabe

   Hillis LeRoy McCabe, age 84, of Rutledge, Missouri, died Monday, June 4, 2007, at the Scotland County Memorial Hospital, Memphis, Missouri.

   Mr. McCabe was born April 25, 1923, in Rutledge, Missouri, the son of Letus and Mildred Tull McCabe.

   On July 13, 1947, he was united in marriage to Eilene Kassahn at the home of the bride’s parents in Rutledge, Missouri. To this union three daughters were born. Hillis is survived by his wife Eilene and their daughters and families; Cheryl and Jim Nowell, daughters Sara and Lori Tarpein; Carol McCabe, children Nick and Valerie Oldham; Lucinda and Jack Guthrie, son Jon. He is also survied by his brother Leon and wife Patricia, his "Tull" cousins, sister-in-law Winnie Parrish, nieces Janice Kay Sexton and Lisa Parrish, great nephew Nick Compston and numerous friends in the community.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Shirley who passed away as a child, a granddaughter Melanie who died in infancy, and nephew Jerry Parrish.

   Hillis attended South Liberty grade school and graduated from Rutledge High School. In his younger years Hillis loved to play sports, especially baseball. He also was a member of the Rutledge High School basketball team that won "first place" at the county tournament. Hillis served his country in the United States Army during World War II. During his younger years, he worked at the Chicago Livestock Market and was a delivery driver for Mason Oil Company in Rutledge. Hillis began his tenure with the U.S. Postal Service as a substitute clerk for the Rutledge Post Office on January 2, 1948 and was promoted two years later to the position of Rural Letter Carrier. When he first started as a mail carrier he sometimes used a horse or tractor to ensure prompt mail delivery. Hillis retired from the postal service in 1989 with forty-one years of service. He was extremely proud of the plaque that he received from the Rutledge Community acknowledging not only his dedication to his job but also the many acts of kindness he performed for the people he served.

   Hillis also farmed with his dad and raised polled Hereford cattle. He was a member of the Rutledge Christian Church. When his children were young, he was active as a 4-H leader and in the Rutledge Saddle Club. Hillis was a 50 plus year member of the Rutledge Lodge 572 A.F. & A.M. with later membership in the Memphis Lodge. After his retirement he was a member of the Rutledge town board serving as mayor for several years and was a member of the Pauline Cemetery Board. Hillis was an amature "cowboy" who had a passion for working and training horses and cattle. He enjoyed spending time with his family, visiting with friends, checking on his cows and playing canasta.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 6th from 6 to 8 pm at the Payne funeral chapel with Masonic services at 7 pm. Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 7th at 3 p.m. at the Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis, Missouri. The Reverend Jim Campbell officiated the services. Musical selections were sung by LaMayra Brown accompanied by Kathy Campbell. His children and grandchildren served as casket bearers.

   Memorials in memory of Hillis may be made to the Pauline Cemetery, Rutledge, Missouri. Memorials may be left or mailed to Payne Funeral Chapel at Memphis, Missouri.

   Arrangements are under the direction of the Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis.