Nicholas R. "Nick" Hilby, 31, of Menominee, IL, passed away, on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at home, of natural causes.

A prayer service will be at 11 A/M, on Monday, February 1, 2016, at the Nativity BVM Church, at Menominee, IL. Burial will be in Nativity BVM Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 P/M to 7 P/M, on Sunday, January 31, 2016, and from 9 A/M to 10:15 A/M, on Monday, February 1, 2016, at the Miller Funeral Home, East Dubuque.

Nick was born on June 7, 1984, in Dubuque, IA, the son of Robert J. and Margie Ann (Freiburger) Hilby. He was a graduate of Galena High School, Class of 2002, and worked in construction for Galena Hillside Homes.

Nick loved farming, fishing, hunting, and endless games of euchre. He was an avid Wisconsin Badgers and Chicago Bears fan. The most important thing to Nick was spending time with family, friends, and his beloved dogs, King, Bella and Sadie. Nick had a smile that could light up a room, along with an infectious laugh that got you laughing right along with him. He had a heart of gold and was always there for the people he loved.

Surviving are his parents, Margie (fiancee, Ron Roth) Freiburger, of East Dubuque. IL, and Robert "Bob" (Polly) Hilby, of Menominee, IL; his sister, Wendy (Jeremy) Werner, of Menominee, IL; step-sister, Katie (Jake) Symmonds, of Cedar Rapids, IA; step-brother, Ben (Alex) Pluemer, of Ft. Campbell, KY; niece and nephew, Avery and Isaac Werner; grandparents, Mary "Mame" Freiburger, of Cuba City, WI, and Cletus and Lois Hilby, of Menominee, IL; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Nick was preceded in death by his grandfather, Henry "Hank" Freiburger; his aunt, Shelly (Freiburger) Reisen; and his cousin, Jared Fleege.

A Nicholas R. Hilby Memorial Fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com