This is the story of Frederick Roger Hilt. Fred was a wonderful man that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our “Pa”, as he liked to be called by his grandchildren, was an amazing husband, father, son, and friend.
Fred’s story starts on March 30, 1954, to Darrel and Virginia (Harpel) Hilt. Fred was born in Fremont, Ohio, and grew up outside of Gibsonburg where he attended school and made many life-long friends. At the Sandusky County Fair, Fred impressed the love of his life, Theresa Herman. Fred and Theresa had a whirlwind romance and married at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on May 3, 1974. Fred and Theresa spent many hardworking years on their family farm west of Gibsonburg. Everyone always knew they could call upon Fred for a solution to a fix-it problem with his endless collection of “scrap” items. This would be accompanied by refreshments and a few good laughs. Fred worked that farm very hard; growing crops and raising livestock.
Outside of the farm, Fred also worked for 35 years as a load limit inspector for the Ohio Department of Transportation, where he played many jokes on the traveling truck drivers. He was also a valued asset as a Madison Township Trustee (4 terms) and on the Board Of Directors for the Pemberville Grain Elevator, and a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
Fred’s grandchildren were his heart and joy, there’s no denying that. He enjoyed teaching them the mechanics of farming, baling hay, driving the “General Lee”, gardening, fishing, sledding, mushroom, and pheasant hunting. Pa loved poking fun with the grandkids, often cracking jokes and singing his version of their favorite songs. Most recently, they loved irritating Nana by baking chocolate chips cookies together in her kitchen.
Fred left our company on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at home with his family. Loved ones that will miss Fred until they meet again are his wife, Theresa; children: Connie (Brad) Witt, Scott (Amy) Hilt, and Sarah Hilt. Grandchildren: Sam and Seth Witt, Thomas, Madelynne and Caden Hilt. Close to Fred’s heart is his sister, Beverly (Mike) Jacobs, and Chris and Mike Leking.
And so the story goes on until we see our Pa again. We love you and miss you, Fred.
We will receive guest on Wednesday, August 30 from 2-8 pm at Herman-Veh Funeral Home in Gibsonburg, Ohio. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday at 10:30 am. Fr. Christopher Bazar will officiate and Rev. Gary Leking will co-officiate. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s & Lawrence Cemetery, Gibsonburg.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the St. Michael’s Stain Glass Window Fund, ProMedica Hospice, or Fork’s Conservation Hunt Club in Fred’s name.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frederick Roger Hilt, please visit our flower store.