Pandora
Herman Gale Hilty, 94, passed away June 29, 2021 at his residence. Herman was born March 6, 1927 in Pandora to the late Harvey and Delilah (Amstutz) Hilty. On December 26, 1954 he married Myrtle “Gay” Miller Hilty who preceded him in death on September 12, 1996.
Herman was a 1945 graduate of Pandora High School. He won back-to-back State titles and set the state mile record in 1944 and 1945. Herman was chosen to run at the AAU Nationals Track meet in New York City at Randall’s Island in 1945 placing seventh. He served in the United States Army in 1955-1956. Herman worked at Sylvania Corporation in Ottawa, as a welder at Remlingers Manufacturing in Kalida, worked in maintenance at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton, drove semi-truck for the DOT Line Trucking and Top Line Trucking in Lima but his first love was being a life-long farmer. His greatest passion was serving God. Herman loved the Lord by making a point to talk to others about Jesus. He served the Lord through the following ministries, Gideon International, YFC Ministry, Lima Rescue Home and the Putnam County Jail Ministry. Herman loved his family and was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed treating his family with ice cream any chance he could. Herman enjoyed watching and attending Indy Car and NASCAR Racing and was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds.
Survivors include six children, Rolland Hilty of New Paris, Indiana, Sheila (Steve) Harrigan of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Craig (Sarah) Hilty of Pandora, Elaine (Brion) Basinger of Pandora, Karen Hilty of Pandora, Steven (Brenda) Hilty of Pandora; sixteen grandchildren, Joshua (Jamie) Hilty, Daniel (Jessica) Hilty, Andrew (Carrie) Hilty, Nathan Hilty, Tim (Anne) Harrigan, Rachel (Octavious) McPherson, Jonathan (Mallory) Harrigan, David (Ashley) Harrigan, Caleb, Cameron Hilty, Adam (Kaitlyn) Basinger, Austin (Carrie) Basinger, Amber (Ben) Schuemann, Abram (Jennifer) Basinger, Seth Hilty, Isaac Hilty, seventeen great-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren on the way
Herman was preceded in death by four sisters, Marjorie Bayman, Ruth Hilty, Geneva Samsal and Lois Hilty.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Pandora Missionary Church. Pastor Matthew Steiner officiating. Private burial will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Pandora. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International or Pandora Missionary Church.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton is honored to be providing services to Herman’s family.