Obit., mid-Missouri newspaper, 1977: "Gerhard Hilkemeyer, Sr., 97, of Westphalia, died Thursday evening (July 7, 1977) following a lingering illness. Mr. Hilkemeyer was born Sept. 23, 1879 at Westphalia, a son of Herman and Maria Westerman Hilkemeyer. He was married Oct. 18, 1905 at Westphalia, to Gertrude Luebbert, who survives. Mr. Hilkemeyer attended St. Joseph School, Westphalia, Linn High School and business school at Teutopolis, Ill.. He was active in both church and community affairs and served as Westphalia's town clerk for more than 40 years. Mr. Hilkemeyer was a catcher for the Westphalia baseball team during the 1890's and he managed a local team for a number of years. A member of the Holy Name Society of St. Joseph Parish, Mr. Hilkemeyer was also a charter member, and past financial secretary, of Westphalia Council 1171, Knights of Columbus, and he was a member of the Dan C. Coppin Fourth Degree Assembly of Jefferson City. He owned and operated Hilkemeyer & Co., a general merchandise store at Westphalia from the 1900's until his retirement in 1954. Other survivors include: five sons - Inno Hilkemeyer and Gerhard Hilkemeyer, Jr., both of Westphalia; Alex Hilkemeyer, Tucson, Ariz.; Gilbert Hilkemeyer, Loose Creek; and Jerome Hilkemeyer, Jefferson City; three sisters, Sister Marie Hilkemeyer, Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Springfield, Ill.; Mrs. Carye MacGregor, Irving, Tex.; and Mrs. L. C. Conine, Westphalia; two half-sisters, Mrs. Cecelia Grieb, St. Louis; and Mrs. Laurine Radmacher, Bonnots Mill; 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. The rosary will be recited Friday at the Dulle Funeral Home, Westphalia. Funeral services will be held Saturday at St. Joseph Church, Westphalia, with the Rev. Peter Walsh officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery."