HITTLE

Ivan Leroy Hittle, 82, of Topeka, formerly of Goff, died Tuesday, June 27, 2006 in an ultra-light plane crash near Beuna Terra air strip in Topeka.
He was born April 24, 1924 in Goff, KS, the son of John Henry and Laura Bell Hittle. He attended school in Goff and lived in the Goff community until he moved to Topeka in 1953.
Ivan worked for Hawk Hatchery in Goff for a short time. He then was employed by Priebe & Sons of Goff until they closed the plant in the Spring of 1949. He worked for Seymour Packing Co. until June of 1949, then at Derby Grain Co. in Goff until January of 1953. Ivan then went to Goodyear where he worked until he retired in 1986 after 33 years. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy on June 23, 1943 at Kansas City, Missouri. He was sent to San Diego, California for induction and training. He spent 21 weeks at Norman Oklahoma Naval Air Technical Training Center, Aviation machinist mate Seaman 1st Class. He went to Sanford, Florida for 6 weeks of operation training. From there to
San Diego Naval Air Station. He was also at NAS Salton Sea in lower California and received an honorable discharge at NATTC in Norman, Oklahoma.
He was married to Evelyn Fern Patch on October 19, 1946 in Holton. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn of the home; a son, Wayne L. Hittle and his wife, Alice of Topeka; 2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Bryan Henry Hittle and two brothers, Harry and George Hittle.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 30, 2006 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery at Goff, KS. The family will greet friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Let's Help Organization c/o Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences are available at www.mercerfuneralhomes.com