Ruth Hilst, 91, of Mendota died Feb. 2, 2008, in her residence. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. John?s Lutheran Church, Mendota, with the Rev. Dale Peterson officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Tuesday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. She was born Oct. 18, 1916, in Topeka, Ill., to William and Emma (Hermann) Gathmann. She married Paul Hilst on Dec. 26, 1941, in Topeka. Mrs. Hilst was a member of St. John?s Lutheran Church, the Rachel Circle of the church and Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. She is survived by two sons, Ronald (Linda) Hilst of Webster, N.Y., and James (Becky) Hilst of Gurnee; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Faye Koke of Springfield. She was preceded in death by her husband on June 21, 1984; and one brother. Memorials may be directed to St. John?s Lutheran Church or Mendota Lutheran Home.