Jon Carl Hill , Topeka
Emporia native Jon Carl Hill of Topeka died Monday, May 21, 2007, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka. He was 50.
Mr. Hill was the editor of several Kansas newspapers, including the Fredonia Daily Herald, the Sedan Times-Star and the Topeka Metro News. He was public relations director and lobbyist for the Kansas Motor Carriers Association and editor and publisher of Mid-America Transporter magazine. He also worked as an adult education instructor for Let’s Help in Topeka .
Earlier, he was a Washington D.C. intern for Congressman Joe Skubitz and staff intern for three sessions with State Representative James Lowther.
The son of Charles and Lischia Newcomer Hill, he was born June 6, 1956, in Emporia. He graduated from Emporia High School and Emporia State University with a degree in political science and journalism.
He married Vanessa Matzke on June 13, 1981. She survives.
Mr. Hill was a member of St. David’s Episcopal Church and the vestry in Topeka. He was a member of the Lions Club, Masonic Temple, president of the Mental Health Association of Lyon County, city council member and volunteer firefighter for the city of Sedan and board member of the Emporia State University Endowment Association. He also played Santa Claus for several years in Emporia.
Other survivors include his children, Morgan Hill and Grant Hill, both of Topeka; his father of Austin, Texas; one brother, Marty Hill of Emporia; one sister, Lise Hill of Emporia; his grandmother, Irma Hill of Emporia; and two grandchildren.
His mother and grandparents, John Albert Hill and Ted and Ethel Newcomer, died earlier.
The memorial service will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka. A celebration of Mr. Hill’s life will be held after the memorial service at the Senate Luxury Suites, 900 SW Tyler St., in Topeka. Cremation has taken place with Midwest Cremation Society of Topeka.
The family suggests that, instead of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to Let’s Help, 200 S. Kansas Avenue, Topeka KS 66603, to American Cancer Society, 1315 SW Arrowhead, Topeka KS 66604, or to a charity of choice in his name.