Dr. Peter Hilty

Peter Daniel Hilty of Cape Girardeau was born to Peter P. and Barbara Koller Hilty on July 16, 1921. He died Nov. 20, 2008.

He and Nancy Wismer were married Aug. 16, 1969. They have one son, Daniel Peter Hilty, a minister at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City, Mo. Daniel is married to Kristen Celeste Hicks, and they have two children, Elijah Tate and Madgalena Caroline "Maggie."

Hilty received a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1951 and a Ph.D. from the university in 1958.

He taught a year at Arkansas State and four years at Park College in Parkville, Mo., before coming to Southeast Missouri State University in 1964. As an English professor, he taught and affected many students lives, both as a teacher and a friend.

Hilty served on the Cape Girardeau City Council from 1982 to 1988, was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church and a member of Rotary Club. His hobbies and strong interests were reading, poetry, history of family names, carpentry and music.

Survivors include his wife; a son; a sister, Dorothy Baumgartner of Versailles, Mo.; a brother, Calvin Hilty of Porterville, Calif.; two grandchildren; nephews and nieces and their families.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers Carl, Hiram and Paul; and sisters Esther and Winifred.

Visitation will be from noon to service time today at Centenary Church.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at the church, with the Rev. Jeff Long officiating.

There will be a memorial service at Bethel Mennonite Church in Fortuna, Mo., at a later date, where interment will take place.

Memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, Bethel Mennonite Church or your favorite charity.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.