Dr. Mark B. Hilty, 89, died Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 9:20 a.m. at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima, Ohio.
He was born on Sept. 8, 1925, in Columbus Grove, to Alvan B. and Nettie (Schumacher) Hilty. They both preceded him in death. On June 17, 1950, he married Marjorie B. Basinger, and she survives in Columbus Grove.
He was a graduate of Columbus Grove High School, class of 1943, and The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, graduating Suma Cum Laude, class of 1952.
He had been a life member of The Ohio Dental Association and the American Dental Association, and the Northwest Ohio Dental Society. He was a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honorary Fraternal Organization and the Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity. He also served as a member of the Peer Review Board, for the Ohio Dental Association.
He had been a member of the Columbus Grove Lion’s Club for over 60 years, was on the board of the Black Swamp Boy Scout Council, had been Camp Master over Camp Berry, was a member and served as President of the Columbus Grove Board of Public Affairs.
He had been a life long member of the Grace Mennonite Church, Pandora, where he served as chairman of the church council and the Board of Elders.
Hilty, along with his father, A.B., and his brother, Don Hilty served Columbus Grove through dentistry for 100 years. He was instrumental in production and free distribution of custom made mouth guards for all of the Columbus Grove football players. Columbus Grove was the second school in Ohio to have and wear protective mouth gear.
He had served as a medic in WWII with the 3rd Army Combat Engineers in Europe and in the Pacific. He was a member of the Columbus Grove Bowers Slusser American Legion Post #516 and the Columbus Grove VFW Post 9648.
Survivors include two sons: Mark R. (Maryanne) Hilty, Barrington, R.I., and Bruce Hilty, Elida; one daughter: Lynn (Terry) Hoffman, Sylvania; three grandchildren: Katie Hilty, Clement Joseph “CJ” Hilty and Maria Hoffman; one sister in-law: Helen Hilty, Bluffton; six nieces: Ann Hilty, Sara Sprunger, Sue (Chris) Wilson, Kathy Hanlon, Nancy (Dave) Wilson and Jean (Rex) Thomas; one nephew: David (Pam) Bucher.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Dr. Don Hilty and one sister, Esther Bucher.
Burial will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2015, at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Pandora, followed by the Memorial Service at 2 p.m, at the Grace Mennonite Church, Pandora, where a dinner and time of fellowship will follow the service. Pastor Dennis Schmidt will officate.
Friends may call from 2:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday March 13, 2015, at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove.
Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity Lima Area or the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity.
Online condolences may be expressed at hartmansonsfuneralhome.com.
