Christel Sibne Hilgarth

Christel S. Hilgarth
December 22, 1944 - October 5, 2026
Portsmouth Resident
F. C. Daehler Mortuary

Christel S. Hilgarth was called home to the Lord October 5, 2026, at age 81. Born in 1944 in Germany, in 1948 she and her family fled what was then Russian-occupied East Germany and spent many years as a refugee in West Germany. In 1961, Christel and Carl met while he was visiting relatives in Germany. She came to the United States in 1964. She and Carl married in 1965 at the Church of the Transfiguration ("the Little Church Around the Corner") in New York City. She became a U.S. Citizen in 2012. Christel's life was that of a homemaker and mom. After earning a certificate in Spiritual Formation from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA, she served for many years as a truly and steadfast spiritual friend for many people. Anchored in Christ, she would often paraphrase Psalm 139:13-18 on how wondrously God had formed her, and how precious His thoughts were to her.

She is survived by Carl O. Hilgarth, her brothers, Hans Peter Grosse, and Joachim Grosse in Germany, three children, and four grandchildren.

Memorials in her name should be to Sierra's Haven, 80 Easter Drive, Portsmouth Ohio, 45662.

Please visit www.fcdaehlermortuary.com to leave a special memory of Christel or condolences for her family.