Charles McClure Hill

Charles McClure Hill died at home in Nashville, Indiana, on July 20, 2020, after a long illness. He will be missed as long as the sun still shines and the wind still blows. Reverend Hill was called to the ministry in 1953. He preached the social gospel of John Wesley in United Methodist congregations in both northern and southern Indiana for forty years, and was beloved by many. He loved a good joke, grilled hamburgers, black raspberry milkshakes, gardening, reading travel books and mysteries, woodworking, cooking, birdwatching, writing haiku, camping, hiking, playing Bananagrams, preaching sermons, singing in the choir, discussing politics, and giving good advice to his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and unwary bystanders. He was pretty sure that fresh chocolate chip cookies were manna from heaven. He was rigorously independent, and maintained a relentlessly optimistic outlook, despite the ongoing health and political crises that Americans are experiencing, and despite his own health challenges. A resident of Brown County since 2008, Reverend Hill was born in 1934 in Washington, DC, to Harry D. Hill and Dorothy Farr Hill, and grew up there as well as in Richmond, Virginia, and Bruceville, Indiana. He began his ministry while still a student at University of Evansville, and married the former Margaret Stokeley in Vincennes, Indiana, on May 29, 1955. He attended Vincennes University, University of Evansville, and Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He was ordained in 1957. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Margaret Stokeley Hill; by children Carol Marks, Nancy and Kenneth Carlson, and Rich and Eli Rodriguez Hill; by grandchildren Dylan Marks and Erica Griese, Terran Marks, Laura Carlson and her partner Caleb Cavarretta, and Kevin and Sam Arlin; by sisters-in-law Jane Ready Hill and Eva Mae McCullough, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, Mark, in 1970, and by his parents and his brothers Alfred and David. Because of the pandemic, a private family service will be held, with The Rev. Mary Bargiel officiating. A memorial service may be held later, when it is safe for groups to gather together. Friends who wish to do so may make memorial contributions to St. David’s Episcopal Church in Bean Blossom, to Habitat for Humanity of Brown County, or to the Brown County Public Library. Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home in Nashville is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.BondMitchellFuneralHome.com.