Eric “Scott” Hilbert, age 71 of Howell, formerly of Bradley, died of a heart attack at his home early Saturday morning, Dec. 22.
Born in Plainwell July 29, 1947, he was the son of the late Frederic and the late LaVerna (Leggett) Hilbert. Scott was a long-time Howell resident and the owner of Rhino Seed & Landscape Supply in Brighton. His friends, family and customers knew him as a salesman and consummate entrepreneur who enjoyed calling on his customers and “shooting the breeze” with everyone he met.
He spent many days in his Rhino truck handing out catalogs to potential customers, with his assistant (dog), Stanley. As a pilot, he enjoyed flying his airplane.
Surviving are his wife Kathleen, his children, Carson of Dorado, Puerto Rico, and Andrew of Nashville, Tenn. He enjoyed his time watching his daughter at her cheerleading events and traveling worldwide to support his son in his hockey career. As his children got older, his pride shifted to the contributions they have made to the third generation family business. Also surviving are grandchildren Skylar Ederle, Greyson Ederle and Sienna Hilbert; brother Kenneth (Jane) Hilbert, John Hilbert. He was preceded in death by brother J. Michael Hilbert.
A funeral in honor and celebration of Scott’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, with visitation beginning 1 p.m., at MacDonald’s Funeral Home, Howell (517-546-2800). Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project.
