Carl N Hitsman

Carl Norman Hitsman 89

Carl Hitsman passed away February 6, 2019 at the Hiland Cottage in Petoskey. He was born February 25, 1929 in Flint, Michigan, to Willard James and Valeria (Yarrington) Hitsman.  In 1946, Carl moved with his family to Alanson, Michigan and attended Alanson High School, graduating in 1947; this is where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Maxine Ellinger.

 Carl worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company in Petoskey where he worked for 41 years. Carl enlisted in the Army in 1952, serving in Korea working in communications, until his honorable discharge in 1954. Carl and Dorothy were married June 25, 1949, the first couple to be married in the new Zion Lutheran Church in Petoskey. They made their home in Petoskey where they raised their two children.

 Carl was a lifetime member of the Emmet County Sportsman’s Club and could be found most Sunday afternoons shooting skeet (which he excelled at) with his good friends and fellow club members.  Carl was also a National Rifle Association member and thoroughly enjoyed hunting deer, pheasant, grouse, rabbits and ducks.  Carl also enjoyed fishing for anything that swam in Northern Michigan waters. Carl and his late wife Dorothy enjoyed dancing and even had their own dance floor.  They were also very active members of Zion Lutheran Church.  

 Carl is survived by his children, Mark (Sheryl) Hitsman, and Kathy (David) Martindale and by 3 grandchildren, Ian and Sarah of St. Ignace, and Amy Martindale of Petoskey, and one great granddaughter, Jessica Hitsman.  He was preceded in death by his sister Iva Blackhurst.   Carl’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Hiland Cottage for the excellent care and friendship shown to him.

Carl will be greatly missed by his family and many friends, but we take comfort knowing he is dancing with Dorothy who preceded him in death in 2016.  

Carl’s life will be remembered and celebrated with a funeral service 11a.m. Wednesday, February 13 at Zion Lutheran Church.  Visitation will be Tuesday, February 12 from 6 -8 p.m. at Stone Funeral Home.

Friends and family wishing to make a charitable donation in memory of Carl are asked to please consider   St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Hiland Cottage in Petoskey.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carl N Hitsman, please visit our floral store.