Kelly K. Hilliard, 61, of Chicora, went peacefully to be with the Lord in the comfort of her home while surrounded by her loving family early Friday morning, September 18, 2026.
Kelly was born in Butler on March 28, 1965. She was the daughter of Dottie Hillwig Kelsea of Chicora and the late William Kelsea. She was a 1983 graduate of Karns City Area High School and earned a master’s degree in nursing from Slippery Rock University. Kelly was employed for more than 20 years as a registered nurse at Butler Memorial Hospital and for the past 12 years was the well-respected school nurse at Karns City Area High School. She owned and operated KKH Candles from her home for many years. Kelly looked forward to camping and boating on the Allegheny River in East Brady where she enjoyed a cold beer with friends, attending concerts, and the companionship of her dogs “Chance” and “Debbie.” Kelly most especially looked forward to the company of her grandkids to whom she was affectionately “GiGi.”
In addition to her mother, Kelly is survived by her husband, Jay B. Hilliard, whom she married in Karns City on May 19, 2001. Also surviving are two children, Laken M. Kearns and her husband, Philip of Renfrew and Cole E. Hilliard of Chicora; her grandchildren, whom Kelly adored, Lydia M. Kearns and Payson A. Kearns, both of Renfrew; her sister, Christal Gentile and her husband, James “Jim”; her brother, Shawn L. Kelsea and his wife, Beth Ann, all of Chicora; her aunt, Rusann Hillwig Anderson of Chicora; her nieces and nephews, Bria Saxton and her husband, Preston of East Brady, Treh Gillott of Prospect, Maverick Kelsea and his wife, Taylor and Mitchell Kelsea all of Chicora, and her great nieces and nephews: Aria, Vera, and Creed as well as a number of cousins; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mark and Denise Kiser of Butler and Jon and Jodi Hilliard of Sewickley. Kelly is additionally survived by members of the “YaYa Sisterhood,” with whom Kelly enjoyed a very special bond.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by two aunts, E. Diane Fennell and Gail Bradley, as well as her maternal and paternal grandparents.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora from 10am – 2pm and 4-8pm Sunday and on Monday from 11am until Noon. A funeral service will follow from the funeral home at noon with the Rev. Pete Sapp, pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Brady’s Bend, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Karns City Area School District 1446 Kittanning Pike Karns City, Pa 16041 and memo the check “Junior Class Prom”. To send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.