JOE HILTY

SPENCERVILLE — Joe C. Hilty, 91, of Spencerville, died 8:52 p.m., Sun. Jan. 24, 2016, at his home with his family at his side.

He was born Nov. 19, 1924, in Spencerville, the son of C.L. & Frona (Eisley) Hilty. On Nov. 21, 1953, he married Janet Veit, and she survives.

Other survivors include, 3 children, Timothy Joe (Joyce) Hilty, Spencerville, Michele Renee (James) Tschour, Lima, Kenneth Lee (Rita) Hilty, Spencerville, 4 grandchildren, Alisha (Michael Simister) Weis, Erica (Don) Hunter, Roberta (Rocky) Bowen, & Joe Hilty, 5 great grandchildren, Eden, Barrett, & Selah Hunter, and Grant & Grace Bowen.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by a brother, Vaughn Hilty, and 2 sisters, Mary Weinken & Sue Kiefer.

A farmer, Joe retired as a tool and die maker from the Ford Motor Co., Lima Engine Plant. He was a 1942 graduate of Spencerville High School, and a member of the Spencerville United Church of Christ. Joe served during W.W. II in the U.S. Army with the 36th Infantry Division, 141 Infantry Regiment, 1st Batallion. He played in the Infantry Division Band. He was a Prisoner of War (1944), captured in France in Vosges Mountains, a member of the Lost Battalion and held captive in Stalag 7A, Moosburg, Bavaria. His memberships included the Bowersock Bros. Post #6772, V.F.W.; the American Legion Post #191; and member and past commander of the former Northwest Ohio Prisoners of War Assn. Joe enjoyed fishing, hunting, hunting mushrooms, polka dancing with Janet, traveling, but most especially Joe enjoyed being with his family.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Fri. Jan, 29, 2016, at the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home, Spencerville, with Pastor Michael Cassidy officiating. Military rites will follow the funeral service at the funeral home.

The family will receive friends 2-4 & 6-8 p.m., Thurs. and 1 hr. prior to the service, Fri. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Grand Lake Hospice or Visiting Angels.