John C. Hitt

John C. Hitt

Aug. 23, 1936 - Feb. 25, 2012

TAVARES, Florida -- Former McCook resident, John C. Hitt, 75, of Leesburg, Florida, passed away after a long illness, on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Tavares, Florida.

John was born on Aug.23, 1936, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to Peter Croner and Oma Gay (Hughes) Hitt. He was united in marriage to Lois Ann (Boys) Hitt on Oct. 4, 1958, in Elkton, Maryland.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lois , of Leesburg, Florida; son, John (Kevin) Hitt and wife Barb of Long Island, Kansas; daughters, Karen Allen of Culbertson, Nebraska, and Kelly Regier and husband Bryan of Hyannis, Nebraska; his brothers, Jerry and wife Diane Hitt of Mobile, Alabama, Joseph Hitt and wife Sandy of Eustis, Florida, sister, Jean Gough Coleman and husband Phillip of Hobe Sound, Florida; grandchildren, Zachary Allen of North Platte, Nebraska, Ann (Hitt) Rodriguez and husband Tracy of Concord, California, Kristin (Allen) Pump and husband Bill of Venango, Nebraska, Michel Hitt and wife Angela of Danbury, Nebraska, Amanda Hitt of Omaha, Nebraska, Mitchell Hitt of Long Island, Kansas, and Andrea Hitt of Omaha, Nebraska; nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Peter and Oma Hitt and his oldest brother, James Hitt.

John, the third of five children, was raised in Mt. Clare, West Virginia, and graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson High School in Nutter Fort, West Virginia. In 1955 he moved to Wilmington, Delaware to work for General Motors. In 1958, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Orangeburg, NY. He was honorably discharged in 1961. John returned his young family to Wilmington, Delaware, where he joined the Electric Hose and Rubber Company and attended college. In 1973, John was promoted to department head and accepted the opportunity to move his family to McCook, to help start up the new McCook Division of Electric Hose and Rubber. After 27 years of service, he retired from the company. John worked for several more years at various local businesses and retired to Leesburg, Florida in 2004. John loved McCook and was an active member in many organizations. He was member of the First Congregational Church of McCook and the Congregational Church of Mt. Dora, Florida. He served the churches as a deacon and committee member. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 135 A.F. & A.M. of McCook, member of all York Rite Bodies of McCook, member of Tehama Temple Mystic Nobles of the Shrine at Hastings, and a Past Patron of Eureka Chapter No. 86, Order of the Eastern Star at McCook, and McCook Kiwanis.

John was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He will always be remembered for his love and devotion to his church, family, home, and the various McCook Masonic organizations. His love of cooking and his ability to make or fix anything was widely known. He loved to cook for his family on the holidays and put on an apron for a pancake feed or Masonic dinner. He was at his happiest when he had a home improvement project and could visit with the guys at the local hardware stores. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends from West Virginia, Nebraska and Florida.

Memorial services will be Thursday, March 29, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in McCook with the Pastor Steve Bales officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given in his name. Arrangements were entrusted to Steverson, Hamiln and Hilbish Funeral and Cremations of Tavares. Florida.

Online condolences may be left at www.steversonhamlinhilbish.com