Robert Hitchcock

ROBERT C. HITCHCOCK, 83, died at 6:05 a.m. May 24, 2007, at St. Rita's Medical Center. He was born June 3, 1923, in Cloverdale, Ohio to George Clinton and Teresa Ridenour Hitchcock, who preceded him in death. Mr. Hitchcock was retired from Green & Sawyer Construction, where he had been a carpenter, foreman, superintendent and president. He was a 55-year member of United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America. Mr. Hitchcock was a member of Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 199, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 370, a 30-year member of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 54, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275, all in Lima, Ohio, and American Legion Post 541, Continental, Ohio. He graduated from Continental High School in 1941. He served with the Seventh Army 44th Division during World War II. He was in the Army from February 12, 1943, until May 10, 1945. Survivors include a daughter, Diann (Vincent) Sarno, of Lima, Ohio; a brother, Donald Simon Hitchcock; his companion, Carolyn Geiger; a granddaughter, Stephanie Sarno; a grandson, Robert Sarno; three stepdaughters, Terry (Rick) Hovest, of Ottawa, Ohio, Tauna (Steve) Geiger, of Billings, Montana, and Connie Blankenship, of Pandora, Ohio; a stepson, John (Diane) Geiger, of Warren, Pa.; and eight step grandchildren, Melissa Kuhlman, Matt Hovest, Tyler Hovest, Megan Hovest, Ryan Geiger, James Geiger, Emily Blankenship and Katelyn Geiger. He was preceded in death by two brothers, George Hitchcock Jr. and Charles Lee Hitchcock; and a son, Gregory Hitchcock. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Bill Rose will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with graveside military rites by VFW Post 1275 at 11:30 a.m. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.