David L Hite

OTTAWA – David L. Hite, age 71, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2015, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor Gregg Sowards officiating.  Burial will follow in West Serena Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

David was born February 1, 1944 in Sandwich, Illinois, the son of Albert and Virginia (Hauger) Hite.  He married Virginia Lee Hayson February 8, 1964 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Ottawa.  She preceded him in death July 23, 2008.  Surviving are his four sons, Albert (Lauri), James, and Robert, all of Ottawa and William (Christine) of Marseilles; one daughter, Jennifer (Mark) Tomsovic of Peoria; ten grandchildren; one great grandson; and one brother, Calvin Hite.  David was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Christine Marie in infancy, and a brother, George Hite.

David worked for Caterpillar, retiring after 38 years of service.  David was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association for 10 years.  He enjoyed restoring old vintage wartime aircraft and building homemade aircraft.  He was an avid fisherman and spent many summers at his summer home in Squaw Lake Minnesota.  He loved playing chess and reading.  He also farmed, spending many long days in the field.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.