Natalie E Hillegas 1930-2025

She was born Feb. 19, 1930, in Youngstown, the daughter of Carl and Clara Hunt Franklin.

She was a graduate of South High School and Youngstown State University. She was a bookkeeper and proofreader at the Mahoning Bank and married Herbert J. Clarke on June 22, 1951.

Natalie and Herb enjoyed many happy years together, traveling to all 50 states and cruising the Caribbean. They enjoyed boating and fishing, and Natalie won the Miami Fishing Tournament, catching a 34-pound female dolphin. She enjoyed many years with her husband and family at their condo in Fort Myers, Florida.

When her children were young, she was a den mother for the Cub Scouts and a Girl Scout leader of 32 girls in a troop for seven years. She also volunteered in the Liberty school library.

An active member in her church, she taught confirmation class and children’s Sunday school and sang in the chancel choir. She soloed at church weddings and other events. She was the YWCA Woman of the Year for Christian education in 1992. She was also a Stephen Ministry leader.

Natalie was widowed in 1985 and remarried in 1992 to Maurice K. Hillegas. They traveled through Europe and England, played golf at the Sharon Country Club and Fonderlac Country Club, and they also belonged to dance clubs. She was a member of the Coterie Federated Women’s Club, two card clubs, and the friendship circle at Poland Presbyterian Church.

She leaves behind her grandchildren, Jamie Phelan, Pamela (Ken) Zitello, Lisa Clarke, Melanie (Luke) Clarke-Penella, Teralyn Clarke and Macie (John) Glenn; and her great-grandchildren, Ryder, Spencer, Julian, Kyrie, Sophie, Lydia and Anthony. She also leaves behind stepchildren, Dr. Anne Hillegas and Eric (Shari) Hillegas of Virginia.

Preceding her in death, besides her parents and both husbands, were her daughters, Susan Phelan and Shari Clarke; a son, John Clarke; a brother, Carl Franklin; a stepson-in-law, Lt. Col. Don Hill; a son-in-law, James Phelan; and a boy and girl stillborn.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at Poland Presbyterian Church, where a luncheon will follow at the church.

Professional arrangements are being handled by Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel.

(special notice)