David Loring Hilldale

David Loring Hilldale, 86, passed away peacefully at Town and Country Assisted Living in New Smyrna Beach on Monday, July 10, 2023. He was born in Oak Hill, Florida, to Mollie and John Harry Hilldale and lived in the area his entire life. David proudly enlisted in the US Army after graduating from high school in 1954 and was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, for three years as an Intelligence Specialist. After completing his enlistment, David returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Gwen Faye Davis.

In 1961, at the age of 24, David was appointed by John F. Kennedy as the Postmaster in Oak Hill. He was one of the youngest Postmasters in the nation at the time. Later, David transferred to the New Smyrna Beach Post Office and served as the Postmaster there until his retirement in 1992 at the age of 55.

David and Gwen had planned to travel and retire to the mountains of Franklin, NC, after building their vacation home there in 1989. Sadly, it was not meant to be, as Gwen passed away from breast cancer in 1991. David spent the remainder of his retirement taking his Grandkids to the NC Mountains, and traveling the US in his Motorhome and Camper.

David was devoted to serving his employer, his community, and above all, he always put his family first.  He is survived by his sons, Mark David Hilldale and Michael Loring Hilldale, and his daughter Michelle Hilldale Browning. He also leaves a sister, JoAnn, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Oak Hill, FL City Hall and designated for the Oak Hill Museum.

A private ceremony will be held at a later date for the family at the Oak Hill Cemetery, where David’s remains will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife.

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