Daniel Hites (78) of Edgewood

Daniel “Dan” M. Hites, 78, of Edgewood, passed away at 9:06 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, rural Altamont with Rev. Marcus Manley officiating. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Altamont with military rites by Grobengieser-Fischer American Legion Post #512 and Gieseking-Schwerdtfeger VFW Post #7676. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m on Friday, at Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont and for one hour prior to service time at the church. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery or the donor’s choice.

He was born on Saturday, January 12, 1946 at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital, the son of Edwin and Mary Maxine (Hayes) Hites. He graduated from Altamont High School in 1964. He was proud to serve his country in the Navy from 1964-1968, where he served in the Vietnam War as Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrol Squadron 17. He was stationed at Whidbey Island, Washington; Iwakuni, Japan; Saigon, Cam Rahn Bay; and Vietnam Sangley Point, Philippines. After the Navy, he went to work at Fedders, then World Color Press as an electrician/engineer, where he retired. Dan was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he served as an Elder and on the schoolboard for ALIS. He also coached basketball at Bethlehem Lutheran School and ALIS. Dan was a kind and loving husband, father, and friend. He enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with his family; especially his grandsons. Dan truly did not know a stranger and was always willing to help. Dan married Myrna Miller in 1969, on March 29th. They enjoyed 55 years together.

Dan is survived by his wife, Myrna; sons, Troy (Andrea) Hites and Jeremy (Brittany) Hites; daughter, Danielle (Randy) Arnold; brother, Doug (Denise) Hites; sister, Connie (Ken) Tipsword; sisters-in-law, Glenda Poehler and Ruth Ann Miller; brother-in-law, Herb Tabbert; grandsons, Aidan Spelbring, Connor Hites and Bryson Hites; and many nieces and nephews.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Harold C. and Cora (Dammerman) Miller; grandson, Andrew Spelbring; brothers-in-law, Floyd Miller, Duane Poehler, Howard Poehler and Ronnie Miller; sisters-in-law, Betty Tabbert and Janice Poehler.

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