Victor F. Hitz

Victor F. Hitz, 89, of Versailles passed away Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville. He was born at North Madison on March 22, 1920 the son of Frazier and Emma Reiman Hitz. He was married to Wanda Barringer on October 24, 1946 and she preceded him in death on November 30, 1997. Survivors include one daughter Gail Deatherage and her companion Larry Lovejoy of Warsaw, Kentucky; one son Fred (Malena) Hitz of Muncie; four grandchildren, Christopher Armbrecht of Union, Kentucky, Lori (Ken) Armbrecht Reed of Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, Erin (Kevin) Hitz Reed, and Ryan (Sharon) Hitz both of Noblesville; five great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother Frazier Hitz. Mr. Hitz was a 1940 graduate of North Madison High School. He had attended Hanover College and Indiana University and graduated from the Tommy Bright School of Floral Design in Indianapolis. He was an Army veteran of WWII, where he served as a Staff Sergeant in the 702 Re-con Division. Mr. Hitz was featured in Stars and Stripes magazine after he and two other men in his division shot down a low flying German observation plane with their pistols. The three then captured the pilot of the plane after he landed nearby. He fought in campaigns in Northern Africa, Italy, Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Ardennes. He received 7 bronze stars, one bronze service arrowhead, the American Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Ribbon, and a Distinguished Unit Citation. He and his wife owned and operated Hitz Greenhouse in Versailles from 1947 till 1978. He was a member of the Tyson United Methodist Church, Versailles American Legion, Versailles Masonic Lodge, and the Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite. He was a former member and fire chief of the Versailles Fire Department, the Tyson Fund Board, and the Tyson Library Board. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 2pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. James Wheeler officiating. Burial will be in the Springdale Cemetery at Madison with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1pm until time of services. Memorials may be given to the Versailles Fire Department or the Versailles American Legion in care of the funeral home.