Joe Hittler, 66

Joseph Wayne Hittler, age 66, of Sturgis, passed away in the loving comfort of family at his home on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. He was a dignified man, who died as he lived.
He was born in Toledo, Ohio, on June 23, 1950, a son of Joseph and Josephine (Lasko) Hittler. He graduated from Bedford High School of Temperance, Mich., in 1968. After high school, he attended Ferris State University and Owens Community College. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a military police officer in Vietnam.
He moved to Centreville, in 1975 where he established Mill Race Distributing, a kitchen & bath design showroom. After being recruited as a manufacturer’s representative by Mouser Cabinetry in 1997, he closed Mill Race Distributing after 22 successful years in business. Joe was an award-winning Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer and served as a mentor to many of those he worked with in the industry.
Joe was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and grandfather. Family was his most important virtue. His devotion to community was expressed by his involvement with the St. Joseph County United Way, Centreville Fire Department and EMT, and Jaycee’s. He was a member of the Three River’s Elks and the First Presbyterian Church of Sturgis.
He is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Sheli Hittler; his mother, Josephine Hittler of Three Rivers; his children, Keith Hittler (Becky Ellingson) serving in the U.S. Air Force stationed in the Netherlands, Tiffani Hittler of Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Brooke Kauf (Michael) of Highland Park, Ill., mothered by Susan Stark of Fort Myers, Fla. and two daughters, Tiffany Phillips (Eric) of Vicksburg, Mich., Ashley McCarty (Brad) of Parchment, Mich., mothered by Sheli Hittler. He leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren Quentin, Oliver, Ethan, Aiden, William, Charley, and Chloe. Also, his four siblings, John Hittler (Sherrie) of Ypsilanti, Mich., Jim Hittler (Kristine) of Huntington, Ind., Judy Graber (Tim) of Three Rivers and Jeannie Flood of Sturgis and nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Raymond Hittler.
In accordance with Joe’s wishes cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-3284 and on Thursday from 9–10:45 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church 1320 S. Lakeview Ave. in Sturgis. A memorial service celebrating the life of Joseph Wayne Hittler will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. The Rev. Michael Wicks will officiate assisted by Larry Lance, CEO for the YFC, Fort Wayne, Ind. Full military honors will be conferred by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW. Private placement of the ashes will be in the First Presbyterian Columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the two causes that were dear to his heart: St. Joseph County United Way, P.O. Box 577, Centreville, MI 49032 www.sjcuf.com or EB Research Partnership, 132 East 43rd Street, Suite 432, New York, NY 10017 www.ebresearch.org.
The obituary is also at www.hackman familyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.