Gene and Rita Hitt

Gene Earl Hitt, 73, and his wife, Rita M. Hitt, 69, died in 2016. They were married Feb. 22, 1980, in St. Charles, Missouri.

Rita passed away Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, in St. Charles; Gene passed away Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, in O'Fallon, Missouri.

Rita was born May 13, 1947, in Belleville, Illinois, and was reared in a small Illinois town by Malcolm J. McLester and Marie Agnes Mueller.

She was a graduate of Aviston (Illinois) Community High School and went on to study at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Rita had a wonderful sense of humor and was prone to take on larger tasks than most.

In the 1970s, she embarked on a 30-year career with then McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis. It was there she met Gene. After 30 years of service, she retired from Boeing.

Rita's survivors include her husband of 36 years, Gene Hitt; a stepdaughter-in-law, Michele (the late Keith) Hitt, and four grandchildren, Dustin (Brandy) Sears, Brianne (Norval) Sears, Christina (Lucas) Adams and Isabela Hitt, all of the St. Charles County area; a brother-in-law, Gerald (Donna) Hitt of Jackson; a niece, Kelly (Matt) McCurry, and a nephew, Russ (Kasey) Hitt, both of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; two grandnephews; a grandniece; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Lisa Stevens; and stepson, Keith Hitt.

Gene was born May 2, 1943, in Cape Girardeau to Wesley E. Hitt and Emma I. Wendel Hitt.

Gene was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville. He was a 1961 graduate of Jackson High School and a 1965 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. He taught school several years before transitioning into computer programming and working with the following companies in the St. Louis area: Honeywell, McDonnell Douglas, Kellwood, retiring from General Dynamics.

Gene is survived by a brother, Gerald (Donna) Hitt of Jackson; a niece, Kelly (Matt) McCurry, and a nephew, Russ (Kasey) Hitt, both of Mount Juliet; a daughter-in-law, Michele (the late Keith) Hitt, and four grandchildren, Isabela Hitt, Dustin (Brandy) Sears, Brianne (Norval) Sears and Christina (Lucas) Adams, all of the St. Charles County area; 10 great-grandchildren; two grandnephews; and a grandniece.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Keith Hitt; and a stepdaughter, Lisa Stevens.

Gene and Rita devoted their lives to family and were instrumental in helping their grandchildren. Their love and commitment will be greatly missed.

A joint graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Zion United Methodist Cemetery in Gordonville, with the Rev. Joel Kidwell officiating.

Arrangements were by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.