John Burton Hitt, Ph.D.

HITT

John Burton Hitt, Ph.D., June 15, 1931-March 26, 2024, 92 years old, was born in Springfield, Ohio to Clarence and Margeret Hitt. He graduated from Springfield High School and worked as a Tool and Die Apprentice before being drafted into the Army, where he served as a Radio Repairman during the Korean War from February 1952-January 1954. He went on to attend Wittenberg University via GI Bill after serving in the miliary and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. He then worked toward a master’s degree and eventually attained a doctorate degree from The Ohio State University in 1968. He retained employment at Wittenberg University as a Professor teaching upper-level Biology classes, and was proud to have attained a grant for Wittenberg’s first Electron Microscope. John retired after 25 years and then moved to the Brunswick, Georgia area where he enjoyed fishing and the warm weather close to the ocean.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Margaret Hitt, a brother Gary Hitt, sisters Joan Hitt and Artis Davis.

John is survived by his wife Margarita Hitt; children Joyce Crutchfield, Linda Beltz, Andrew Hitt, Cheryl York, Jenny Hamilton, Danial Hitt, and Allen Hitt; 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; brother Ted Hitt, sister Peggy Roberts.

He has chosen to donate his body to The Ohio State University Medical School for research purposes, and a celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date.

The family is being served by the EBERLE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 103 North Main Street, London, where condolences are encouraged to be shared online at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.

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