Family/Spouse: HILTS, Midgley. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette

LEWISTON — Donald Hilts, 90, of the Town of Niagara, went to be with the Lord Thursday, February 24, 2011 in Our Lady of Peace Residence, following a brief stay.

He was born in Niagara Falls, NY on August 5, 1920, a son of the late Midgley and Lottie (Shook) Hilts. He attended Niagara Falls schools. Don served in the U.S. Army during WW II as Technician Third Grade with the 523rd Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company. He was honorably discharged January 26, 1946 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.

Don worked for Niagara Welding for 20 years and retired from General Motors, Tonawanda Plant in 1986.

Previously attended Riverside Presbyterian Church, he was very active with the LaSalle Sportman’s Club and served as its President for four terms. An avid outdoorsman, he also belonged to the Conservation Department and enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Town of Niagara Environmental Commission for 29 years and served 24 of those years as chairman. Don was honored Donald E. Hilts Day in the Town of Niagara. He enjoyed woodworking and making crafts, selling them at the Ole Sanborn Days. He also had a strong affection for animals, especially his dachshunds.

Survivors include his daughter, Carolyn “Lyn” (late Earl) Anderson of the Town of Niagara; his brother, Elmer Hilts (late Betty) of Niagara Falls; grandchildren, Marlo (Schul) Lee of Niagara Falls, Cheri Ellwood (Jeff) of Maryland, Their Santos (Rodigo) of South America and James Anderson of Maryland; great-grandchildren, Clayton Anderson, Jarod Anderson, Ethan Ellwood and Bobbie and Brandon Lee. He was predeceased by his wife, Pearl E. (Bell) Hilts; his daughter, Donna M. Horner and siblings, Loren and Robert Hilts.

Friends may call Sunday from 2-5 PM in the LANE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 8622 Buffalo Avenue, where funeral services will be held Monday at 11 AM, with the Rev. Jeff Ellwood officiating. The interment will be in Niagara Falls Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Assembly of God Church/Children of Ecuador, 9750 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304.

Visit www.LaneFuneralHome.com.

Donald married BELL, Pearl Emerald on 3 Jan 1942 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Pearl (daughter of BELL, John H and Dorothy J) was born on 27 Aug 1922 in New York; died on 4 Jun 2002 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Elmer C. Hilts, a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, died on Monday, March 02, 2015 in Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence. He was 92. He was born in Niagara Falls on October 23, 1922, the son of the late Midgley and Lottie (Shook) Hilts. A proud US Army veteran of WW II, Mr. Hilts served as a corporal in the 793rd Military Police Battalion and saw action in both Belgium and Northern France. His military service earned him two battle stars and the good conduct medal. He also had the opportunity to finish his overseas deployment playing drums with a US Army dance band in numerous venues throughout Paris. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

A long time employee of Union Carbide Corporation, he retired in 1981 as a production supervisor. He was also involved with its foreman’s club.

Elmer was an active man. He was a volunteer fireman with the Lewiston #2 Fire Company; a life member of the LaSalle Sportsman’s Club; played drums professionally for 35 years with numerous local acts, including the popular Jimmy-Mack Quartet; loved golf, and recorded a hole in one on two different occasions after his 80th birthday. He was a league bowler and was very proud of his two 700 sets. Elmer remarked numerous times that the most fun was had sharing his love of sports and music with his many friends and family. In recent years, Elmer volunteered at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda and worked spotlight duty for numerous productions and shows.

He was predeceased by his wife, Betty (Messecar) Hilts in 1987 and a daughter, Karen Hilts. He is survived by his children, Kathleen (George) Kunecki; Thomas Hilts and Barbara Hicks all of Niagara Falls; Suzanne (Douglas) Deitzman and Marie (Jim) McCarthy both of Grand Island; ten grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his twin, Robert Hilts and brothers, Donald, Loren and Jimmy.

Friends may call Thursday from 2-5:30 PM in the LANE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 8622 Buffalo Avenue, where services will be held at 5:30 PM. The interment will be private in Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston.

Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Lewiston #2 Fire Company, 1705 Saunders Settlement Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304.

Family/Spouse: MESSECAR, Betty Y. Betty died in 1987. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married HARRINGTON, Theresa Mae in 1943. Theresa (daughter of HARRINGTON, Walter and MCARDLE, Theresa) was born about 1924; died on 27 Jul 2011 in Memphis, Shelby County, TN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mary Elizabeth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: FOURNIER, Henrietta. Henrietta (daughter of FOURNIER, Henry and GAREAU, Lucy) was born on 1 Mar 1924 in St Pascal Baylon, Ontario, Canada; died on 14 May 2019 in Gasport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ANDERSON, Earl Clayton. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Donna married SCHUL, Robert Raymond [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: HORNER. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Kathleen A. Kunecki, 78, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at Mount St. Mary's Hospital. Born in Niagara Falls, NY on July 6, 1944 she was the daughter of the late Elmer C. and Bessie Y. (Messecar) Hilts.


She is survived by her husband, George J. Kunecki; children, Yvonne Kunecki, George A. Kunecki and Brian Kunecki; grandchildren, Brian, and Mike; sisters, Suzanne (Douglas) Dietzman and Marie (Jim) McCarthy. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Thomas Hilts; sisters, Karen Hilts, and Barbara Hicks.


Friends may call Friday, April 21st from 4-8 PM at ZAJAC FUNERAL HOME INC., 319 24th Street, Niagara Falls, NY. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:00 am on Saturday, April 22nd at St. Michael The Archangel Parish Of The National Catholic Church, 250 27th Street, Niagara Falls, NY with Very Rev Francis M. Kadryna officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Burial following in St. Michaels Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY.

Family/Spouse: KUNECKI, George J. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: HICKS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MCCARTHY, James. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Thomas A. Hilts, lifetime resident of Niagara Falls, passed away on Monday, November 23, 2015 at his home. He was 69. He was born in Niagara Falls on November 12, 1946, a son of the late Elmer C. and Bessie Y. (Messecar) Hilts. Tom attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Wheatfield High School. After high school Tom worked at Regal Tip making drumsticks. Thomas is survived by four siblings: Kathleen (George) Kunecki and Barbara Hicks of Niagara Falls and Suzanne (Douglas) Deitzman and Marie (Jim) McCarthy both of Grand Island. There will be no prior visitation and burial will be at the convenience of the family in Niagara Falls Memorial Park Cemetery in the Town of Lewiston.

Family/Spouse: DEITZMAN, Douglas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: STEPHENSON. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BAILEY, Leslie. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Danielle I. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: LEE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]