Cornelia “Connie” Mae Grabak, nee Hill, 89, of Belleville, IL, born Monday, October 21, 1935, in Portageville, MO, passed away Friday, April 25, 2025 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O Fallon, IL.
Connie retired from the banking industry where she worked through several different iterations of banks: Bank of Belleville, 1st National Savings Bank, Boatmen’s Bank, and Bank of America to name a few, for over 30 years. She was active in her community and dedicated countless hours assisting as a Secretary for Boy Scout Troop 12 and as a Team Parent for the Belle-Clair Soccer League.
In her free time, she could be found tending her garden where she loved caring for her plants. She enjoyed a good game of Rummikub, which she spent countless hours playing with her Mom, and later with John Jr. and Lisa. She loved her St. Louis Cardinals and cheered for them every chance she could. She was a member of the Silver Sneakers program and could also be found at PSOP.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Husband, John Grabak Sr.
- Father, John H. Hill
- Mother, Ruby H. Hill, nee Hall
- Sisters:
- Alice Faye Gumm
- Helen Hatley
- Brothers:
- John H. Hill Jr.
- Larry Hill
- Nephews:
- Tim Alpern
- Roger Lackey
- Craig Hill
- John H Hill IV
- John Jay Hill V.
- Nieces:
- Charlotte Conner
- Patricia Fritz
- Trisha Nethery
- Dear friend of 68 years Marilou Reiff
- Her beloved fur-baby Tiger
Surviving are her:
- Son, John Grabak, Jr. (Lisa) of Belleville, IL
- Sister, Shirley Elfrink of Wentzville, MO
- Sister-in-law, Ruth Hill of High Ridge, MO
- Nieces and nephews:
- Dan Alpern
- Michael Alpern (Cindy)
- Trisha Ramirez (Tony)
- Donna Panke (Gary)
- Conna Boenker (Mike)
- Kim Reynolds (Robert)
- Peggy Selby
- Judy Ledford
- Shelia Hatley Skelton (Jay)
- Albert Grabak Jr.
- Janice Knapp
- Lonna Stevens (Bob)
- Sean Elfrink (Julie)
- Patrick Hill (Barb)
- Kevin Hill (Becky)
- Connie Hill
- Daniel Hill
- She was also blessed with very special bonus grandchildren:
- Connor Peters
- Abbie Peters
- Allison Peters
- Numerous 2nd and 3rd generation nieces and nephews
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Belleville Area Humane Society or The Arbor Day Foundation. You can also plant a tree, bush, or flower in her memory to honor her love of gardening.
Visitation: Visitation from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Thursday, May 1st, 2025 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.
Services: Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, May 1st, 2025 at Kurrus Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Stewart officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.
