Donald W. Hilt, Sr., 89, of Union, died following a brief period of declining health on Jan. 9 at Windward Gardens, Camden.
Born in East Union, Sept. 4, 1918, he was the son of Benjamin and Beulah Esancy Hilt. He received his education in the East Union School, a one-room schoolhouse.
On Sept. 23, 1929, he married Athelene P. Tibbetts in Rockland. The couple made their home in Union their entire married life. More recently, they had resided together at Windward Gardens.
Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1945, Donald served for eight months aboard the U.S.S. Midway before being honorably discharged at the end of hostilities.
As a young man, Donald was employed with C.M.P. as a lineman and later, with Bath Iron Works. For many years he worked with the Martin Marietta Corporation as a foreman, until retiring in 1982.
Always active, Donald was a member of the Union Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rites, Kora Temple Shrine Club, Mid-Coast Shrine Club, Union Historical Society and Senior Citizens, Camden American Legion, Knox County Fish and Game, Pioneer Grange, Hatchet Mountain Snowmobile Club, and 1918 Club.
His family said he found great pleasure in fishing, hunting, boating, camping, and spending time at their family cottage on Alford Lake.
He was predeceased by a son, Philip Hilt in 2006.
Donald is survived by his wife, Athelene of Union; daughter, Diane Poland and husband Richard of Bristol; sons, Donald, Jr. and wife Margaret of Rockland, Sherwood Hilt and wife Barbara, Keith Hilt and wife Debra, and David Hilt, all of Union, and Benjamin Hilt and wife Krissy of Hope; brother, Neil Hilt and wife Gail of South Carolina; daughter-in-law, Ruth Hilt of Union; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Celebration of his life 1 p.m., Sun., Jan. 13 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland with the Rev. Paul Marshall officiating. A reception will follow at Pioneer Grange, East Union.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mid-Coast Shriners Million Dollar Club, P.O. Box 856, Rockland, ME 04841.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Limerock St., Rockland.
