John Hitt

John Van Hitt, 88, of Oak Ridge died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at his home.

He was born Jan. 15, 1919, at Holcomb, Mo., son of John Cleason and Cornelia Bryant Hitt. He and Ruby J. Pattengill were married Oct. 11, 1941, in Benton, Mo.

Hitt was a 1939 graduate of Morley High School. He farmed in the Oak Ridge area all his life, and was a self-employed carpenter. He was a member and deacon at First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, and member of VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau.

He was a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army 37th Infantry Division, serving in the South Pacific.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Van C. and Paul P. Hitt of Oak Ridge; a daughter, Ellen Duty of Cobden, Ill.; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jon Sedgwick officiating. Burial will be in Gravel Hill Cemetery at Oak Ridge with full military honors.

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