Cleo Bryon Hitt

Cleo Byron Hitt, 88, died Monday, March 23, 2015, at Stormont Vail hospital, following a brief illness. He was born January 13, 1927 in Severy, Kansas to Floyd E. and Lucy (Binns) Hitt. At the age of 2, they moved to a farm in Howard where he grew up. In 1945 Cleo joined the army and spent his service years working with WWII prisoners of war. On a rainy Easter Sunday, following his return from service, Cleo offered Ruby Mae Wunderlich and her girlfriends a ride in his car to the movies so that they would not get their Easter Bonnets wet. That was the beginning of a wonderful 67 year romance with his beloved wife, Ruby. Following their marriage on October 7, 1948, they moved to Topeka where they were blessed with a son and a daughter that were a delight to both of them. Cleo had various jobs at Morrell Meat Packing, Santa Fe Railroad and a twenty-five year career with DuPont. Following his retirement from DuPont in 1985, Cleo and Ruby took their Airstream camper sightseeing across the country. They spent their winters enjoying the warm sun of the Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg and McAllen, Texas. There they made numerous friends, enjoyed playing cards, Mexican Train dominoes, dancing and going to jam sessions. Cleo loved to hunt, fish and as he said "piddle". He always had a project going. If something didn't work he would tinker with it until it did. He was an avid baseball fan and would go to great lengths to see his Royals and Cardinals play, even if it meant driving up a one-way street the wrong way! Cleo loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally and will be remembered for the great hugs he gave freely. They have many fond memories of sledding behind the tractor, driving that tractor around the farm, helping to feed the cattle and fishing in the pond with Grandpa. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Mae (Wunderlich) Hitt, Their children; Roger & Linda Hitt of Omaha, Nebraska, Vicki & Ron Brewer of Admire, Kansas, 6 grandchildren; Melissa Tevis & Mike Scheckel of Osage City, Kansas; Carey & Kelly Jordan of Topeka, Kansas, Shaun and Sara Tevis of Admire, Kansas, Brooks and Elizabeth Hitt of Lincoln, Nebraska, Libby and Bobby Coyle of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Amanda Hitt of Plano, Texas; and 7 great grandchildren. A visitation will be held Thursday March 26 from 6-8pm at Greenwood-Roberts Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 10:00a.m., Friday, March 27, 2015 at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American heart Association or the V.F. W. , c/o Greenwood-Roberts Funeral Home, 730 Western Heights Drive, Overbrook, Kansas 66524. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Cleo Bryon Hitt please visit our Sympathy Store.

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