Merhl Hiteshew, Jr

Gentle, Kind And Witty

Merhl Hiteshew, Jr, 75, died July 27, at his home, surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was married to Leila Johnson and they celebrated their 50th anniversary on December 17, 2005. Mr Hiteshew was born in Hampton, Va., on October 6, 1930, the son of Ethel and Merhl Z. Hiteshew, Sr.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Karin and Robert Helsel, Jr of Newtown; his sons and their wives, John and Susan, of Sandy Hook; David and Virginia, of Chicago, Ill., and Stephen and Kimberly, of Bethel. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Erica Helsel of Newtown, Tara and Christopher Hiteshew of Sandy Hook, and Caroline, Virginia, and William Hiteshew of Chicago.; and two step-grandchildren, Jay and Dana Schunter of Sandy Hook.

Mr Hiteshew grew up in East Orange, N.J., attending East Orange High School and graduating with the Class of 1948. He graduated from Upsala College in East Orange and received his MBA in industrial relations from Columbia University in New York City. He served in the US Army in Japan and Korea during the Korean War.

Mr Hiteshew began his career in human resources with Procter & Gamble in Staten Island, N.Y., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Augusta, Ga. Desiring to return to the Northeast, he moved to Connecticut and worked in his field at Curtis Packaging Co, Grolier Enterprises, and Homequity, division of PHH. He retired as personnel officer for the New York Clearing House in 1992. Mr Hiteshew had been chairman of the United Way of Wilton, served on the board of the American Red Cross in Danbury, and was a member of the Newtown Board of Education. He also volunteered with the Newtown Indian Boosters, and more recently had been a volunteer with Musicals at Richter in Danbury.

Mr Hiteshew loved his family and had many dear friends. He loved the ocean, boats, and model trains. He will be remembered as a gentle, kind and witty man.

A funeral service was  held at Newtown Congregational Church on July 31 with associate minister Janice Touloukian officiating. Interment took place at Newtown Village Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital, 95 Locust Avenue, Danbury CT 06810, or Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main Street, Danbury CT 06810.

The Newtown Bee        August 4, 2006