Eric Hillstrom

Eric Dean Hillstrom, age 68, of Haymarket, Va., passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 23, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born Feb. 11, 1945, in Ripon, Wis., he was the son of Werner, a veterinarian, and Elaine Hillstrom. He graduated from Markesan (Wis.) High School in May 1963 and from Madison (Wis.) College in May1966 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, majoring in accounting. On July 30, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Clarice Elaine Gaastra. Eric's accounting career lasted only a short time before he returned to his love of sportswriting, which he started at the Markesan Herald weekly newspaper when he was in high school. His journalism career spanned 43 years working as a writer, columnist and editor in newspaper sports departments. In the 60's and 70's he covered high school and college sports for the Capital Times in Madison. He became the Sports Editor for the Idaho Statesman after moving to Boise in 1978. In 1982 he moved to Northern Virginia to help launch the national newspaper USA TODAY. He worked there for 24 years as a sports copy editor before retiring in 2006. Beside Madison and Boise, Eric and his family lived in Reston, Va., for 22 years before he and Clarice moved to the Regency at Dominion Valley in Haymarket in 2004. They are members of the Gainesville (Va.) United Methodist Church. Eric was known for his sense of humor, his love of sports and music and his abiding love for his wife and family. Survivors include his loving wife of 47 years, Clarice Hillstrom of Haymarket, and two daughters, Amy Doherty and her husband Kevin of Leesburg, Va., and Wendy Batcsics and her husband Chris of Centreville, along with grandsons Tyson and twins Cooper and Chase. Other survivors include a brother, Curt Hillstrom, and his wife Helen of Minneapolis, Minn., and two sisters, Barbara Walser and her husband Roland of Black Earth, Wis., and Lorna Mosby and her husband Tony of New York City. A memorial service will be held August 31, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Gainesville United Methodist Church, 13710 Millstone Ct., Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the local Hospice office Capital Caring, 10530 Linden Lake Plaza, Suite 200, Manassas, VA 20109. Or to honor Eric's love of music, donations can be sent to the Gainesville United Methodist Church special music fund, reference "Emily Joy Christian Fund".

Eric Hillstrom

February 11, 1945 - August 23, 2013