Michael "Mike" Hileman

Michael (Mike) James Hileman of McKinney, Texas, passed from this life on January 16, 2025, with his beloved wife Kathleen at his side.  During the last months of his life, Mike resided at Edel Rose Group Home so that he could receive the necessary care for his long-term illness.

Mike was seventy-two years of age.  He was born on April 18, 1952, to James (Jim) E. and Jeanine (Smith) Hileman in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Having met in college, Mike married Kathleen Shanahan in 1983.  Their family centered around son Derek and he and Mike participated in Scouting activities, both achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Mike’s interests varied widely throughout his lifetime due to his exceptional quest for knowledge and keen intellect.  No matter what the endeavor, Mike would educate himself and generously shared his expertise with family and friends as he mentored those who shared the same interests. Music appreciation was important to him, and he played the string bass in high school. He was honored to play in the Indiana State Youth Orchestra.

An annual activity for the extended Hileman family, and particularly Jim, Mike, and Derek, was attending the annual Indianapolis 500 race together.  To say he was an avid race fan is a very mild understatement.

Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1975.  Mike made lifetime friendships through his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, of which Derek is also a member.  He expressed his desire “to lead without regrets for past actions or remorse for lost opportunities”.

His professional career accomplishments in the oil refining industry were numerous and related travel took him to thirty-eight countries.  When asked, Mike clearly stated that he most enjoyed the history and people of China where he visited over thirty times.  Mike was the lead inventor for one US patent, the co-inventor on 2 others, and he also published several articles in professional publications.

Mike’s last twenty years of employment as a consultant were at Solomon Associates in Dallas, Texas.  Prior employers were Atlantic Richfield, Charter Oil and Champlin Petroleum.

Concurrent with his travels around the world, Mike demonstrated an amazing ability to search out “treasures” from around the world, bring them home in his suitcases, and resell them at his antique booth in downtown McKinney.  He spent hours researching the pieces and had an amazing knowledge of subjects totally unrelated to his profession.

Mike is survived by his wife Kathleen Hileman; son Derek Hileman and his wife Ashley (Fields) and their four children Ophelia, Emmanuelle, Nathalie and Jude. Derek, Ashley, and the grandchildren have always been a source of great joy for Mike and Kathleen.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Nancy Hileman Worthman.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Allen Family Funeral Options with Pastor Craig Castleberry officiating. If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/108960

A reception will follow the service.

In addition, a funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church with burial at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, both in Indianapolis, Indiana.