Sr. Barbara Hileman OSF

Sr. Barb Hileman (formerly Sr. Concetta), age 90 of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, Indiana, died on November 22, 2024, at the Motherhouse in Oldenburg, Indiana. Born on December 25, 1933, in Anna, Illinois, she was the oldest of three children born to the late Robert and Evelyn (nee: Howenstein) Hileman. Her father worked as a building contractor and her mother was a medical assistant. Sr. Barb was taught by the Sisters of St. Francis from grades one through eight, then began her high school years at St. Agnes Academy in Indianapolis, IN. Missing the spirit of the Franciscan Sisters, she then attended St. Mary Academy, also in Indianapolis. Although not in her initial plans, she ultimately joined the Sisters of St. Francis in 1951 following high school. She received her bachelor’s degree in education at Marian University over nine summers while she continued to minister in education. She continued her education with a master’s degree from the University of Dayton. She followed that with a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola University. Sr. Barb has served as a teacher, principal, Director of Religious Education, Mission Coordinator, and Chaplain. Sr. Barb began her teaching career with elementary-aged children, then added grades 6-8 to her resumé before becoming principal. She spent a total of 24 years in education. She spent the next 12 years in parish ministry and as a pastoral associate. Her next challenge came when she became a mission coordinator for a Navajo reservation in New Mexico for six years. She then furthered her education and took on a new role as a Hospital Chaplain for St. Vincent and St. Vincent Seton in the Indianapolis area for the next 18 years, until returning to the Motherhouse in 2014. Once returning to the Motherhouse for retirement, Sr. Barb reflected with gratitude, yet still in ministry, as she prayed for her own family and all those whose lives have touched hers; she felt she could truly say “Hozhoogo naashaa doo! In beauty I have walked!” Sr. Barb is survived by sister Therese “Tippy” Swinford, sister-in-law Betty Hileman, and nephew John Lloyd. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Tony Hileman, and brother-in-law Ron Swinford. Prayer and visitation will be Monday, November 25, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. followed by the Mass at 3:00 p.m., all at the convent chapel, with Fr. Ken Overberg SJ officiating. The burial will be at the Motherhouse Cemetery in Oldenburg. For those unable to attend, services will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/o09vCHoOJzg?feature=share Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, P.O. Box 100, Oldenburg, Indiana 47036 Donate Online - SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS (oldenburgfranciscans.org). For online condolences go to www.weigelfh.com.

Sr. Barbara Hileman OSF

December 25, 1933 - November 22, 2024