John Francis St. Hilaire, 77, of Kennewick, died on December 14th due to complications of Parkinson's disease. He was born in Yakima and lived in the Tri-Cities area for 51 years.

John was a retired farmer. He farmed together with his brother, Thomas St. Hilaire, for more than 40 years. John was a member of St. Joseph's Parish in Kennewick, and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

The fourth of ten children, John grew up in a farming family in Yakima and Moxee and graduated from Marquette High School in Yakima. He enjoyed playing baseball and studying French.

John moved to the Tri-Cities area in 1961. John and his brother Tom grew cherries, apples, and asparagus on their family farm southeast of Kennewick and they grew potatoes and other row crops north of Pasco. In 1967, John met and married Mary Ellen Donihee. They raised six children on the family farm. John enjoyed welding and woodworking.

John was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, having been a charter member of Kennewick Council #8179 and Charter Faithful Navigator of Father William A. Schmitz Assembly #2258. He served as Grand Knight, was a District Deputy and volunteered for the council's various service projects. He was Charter President of Serra Club of the Tri-Cities and a member of the Tri-Cities Prep Boosters.

John lived the last year of his life at Fleur de Lis Adult Family Home in Kennewick. The family expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful owners, staff and caregivers of Fleur de Lis for their generous and tender care of John.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen St. Hilaire, and children, John Catherine St. Hilaire of Shoreline, Lisa Jim Heising of Redmond, Nicole St. Hilaire Jesse Thompson of Seattle, Ronald Holly St. Hilaire of Kennewick, Sarah St. Hilaire of Kennewick, and William Lynne St. Hilaire of Santa Monica, CA. He is survived by twelve grandchildren: Rory, Padraig, Ciaran, Brogan, Lucelia, Fionnoula, Rourke, Rohan, Bryce, Nolan, Meredith, and Cashel. John is also survived by eight siblings: Catherine Boze of Seatac, George St. Hilaire of Seattle, Richard St. Hilaire of Pasco, Ruth St. Hilaire of Seattle, Judith St. Hilaire of Edmonds, Joseph St. Hilaire of Bellingham, Thomas St. Hilaire of Kennewick, and Wynne Pierret of Kahlotus. John is survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his son Kevin Ryan St. Hilaire, 1979, his parents, John A. St. Hilaire, 1981 and Winnifred Gaul St. Hilaire, 1982, and his sister, Mary Sella, 1969.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 19, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with Rosary at 5:00 pm, and Funeral Mass on Thursday, December 20, at 12:00 pm, both at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Kennewick, with interment to follow at Riverview Heights Cemetery, Kennewick. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Joseph's Catholic School Foundation.