Virgil Burton Hite, age 81, of the Brush Ridge area, died Wednesday evening, December 8, 2010, at Marion Manor after battling Parkinson Disease for many years.
On March 17, 1929, Virgil was born to the late Elder Daily and Lilibel (Cole) Hite in northern Delaware County. Virgil’s mother died when he was a baby and Daily’s second wife, the late Cora Beaver Hite raised him as her own.
Raised on the family farm, Virgil attended Grand Prairie grade school, and graduated from Morral High School in the Class of 1947. He then entered The Ohio State University at Columbus in the fall, majoring in Animal Science, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in December of 1951.
Shortly after graduation, Virgil enlisted in the U.S. Army in February of 1952. His service was state-side serving in the Corps of Army Engineers during the Korean Conflict, and he earned the rank of Corporal.
Upon his honorable discharge in February of 1954, he returned home to marry the former Marjorie Smith of Canal Winchester, Ohio, on June 27, 1954, whom he met in the 4-H club at OSU. They raised two children, Gary and Karen, and shared over fifty-six years together.
Being the only son in the family, Virgil learned to enjoy farming at an early age while helping as a farm hand for his father, Daily. Upon graduating from college, he bought land a few miles from the home place to farm full time with his father. Though farming was his life work, in 1956 he began part-time work as a technician for Marion Soil and Water until his retirement in 2003. This farmer never really retired as he continued to help his son, Gary, with planting and harvest. He was especially proud his family has chosen to follow in his and his father’s footsteps, continuing to care for the family farm.
Dedicated to his community, Virgil served on the Ridgedale School Board for 8 years, was a 4-H advisor for 25 years, was a member of the Marion County Farm Bureau helping on their membership and various committees, and was a very active member of the Marion County Ag. Society Fair Board for 30 years.
Church was an important part of his life, being an active member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Marion, where he served on council, committees, the Board of Trustees, and he had served as church president and deacon.
A proud father, while his children were in school, Virgil was active in school activities anywhere he could be of help and contribute. His grandchildren were also very important to him.
Virgil will be missed by his wife, Marjorie Hite of Marion; two children: Gary (Terri Thiel) Hite of rural northern Marion County, and Karen Anderson of Newark, Delaware; six grandchildren: David (Emily) Hite of New Albany, Crystal (Christopher) Burgess of Delaware, OH, Tim Hite of Marion, Shawna Hite of Marion, Joshua Hite of Marion and Christopher Anderson of Newark, DE; six great-grandchildren: Rieley, Taylor, Addyson, Rorynn and Blayke Burgess, and Alyssa Hite; four sisters: Nina (Mike) Lucas of Marion, Elaine (Tom) Lewis of Edwardsville, IL, Florence (Edward) Reed of Winchester, KY, and Carolyn (Merle) Sarber; Bremen, IN; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Hite family will greet friends from 3 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at the Emanuel Lutheran Church, 241 S. Prospect St., Marion, in the lower level parlor. Services honoring Virgil’s life will also be held in the church on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Mark Schuring officiating. His family will again greet friends for an hour prior to his services at the church. Burial will follow in Grand Prairie Cemetery.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Virgil’s family.
The family requests, that although flowers are beautiful and Virgil loved them, that memorial contributions be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church, c/o either the Building Improvement Fund or the Good Samaritan Fund, and to The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. They may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
His family would like to extend a “heartfelt” thank you for the many individuals who offered prayers, cards, concern and support during the 2 months of acute illness Virgil suffered.
For those wishing to express their condolences to Virgil’s family online, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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