Memorials

Harvey J. Hile, age 93, passed away at 9:12 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, 2008, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Born in Goshen, IN on June 30, 1914, he was the son of Barney C. and Verda M. (Winebrenner) Hile.

As a child, he was raised in Noble County until 1927 when he and his family moved to Whitley County where he graduated with the Class of 1932 from Columbia City High School. In 1935, he moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he resided for ten years working at Midland Steel during World War II. He later returned to his small farm in Noble County. In 1979, he made Columbia City his permanent home.

For eight years, he worked at Essex Wire Company in Fort Wayne. He then entered the construction business with Hobbs Construction Company of Albion. He also worked for Russell Carson in his bottle gas business at Wolf Lake. In 1979, he retired from Lyall Electric Company in Albion after 15 years of service.

In 1935, he married Florence “Luella” Smith who preceded him in death in 1977. On January 1, 1979, he married Elma May Boggs-Keiser. She preceded him in death on September 18, 2002.

He was a former member of the Big Lake Church of God and for many years taught in the Sunday School Program. Most recently he was a member of the South Whitley Church of God.

He also served as a proud member of the Civil Defense in Detroit during World War II.

Survivors include his daughter, Muriel (Ron) McNeal of Churubusco; son, Paul H. (Bonnie) Hile of Columbia City; 5 grandchildren, Craig (Laura) McNeal and Rhonda McNeal of Fort Wayne, Paul W. Hile and Mark M. (Diane) Hile both of Columbia City and Jennifer M. (Kenneth) Button of Columbia City; 7 great-grandchildren, Nathanial and Mariah McNeal of Fort Wayne, Chasity, Avery and Courtney Hile of Columbia City, Emilee and Bryana Button of Columbia City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Florence “Luella” Hile and his second wife, Elma M. Hile, and sister Evelyn M. Carson.

Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home in Columbia City. Funeral service is at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at the funeral home with Pastor Phil Blake officiating. Burial will follow at Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

Memorials may be given in Mr. Hile’s memory to the American Heart Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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