Walter Daniel Hitch

Chassell: Walter Daniel Hitch, 96, longtime resident of Chassell, passed to eternal life on May 13, 2023 at Gardenview Assisted Living and Memory Care in Calumet.

Walter was born on January 14, 1927 to Pauline and Theodore Hitch in Iron Mountain, Michigan. He grew up in L’Anse and graduated from L’Anse High School.

Known for his work ethic, Walt worked as a certified seaman on freighter ships on the Great Lakes while in high school.

In 1945, at the age of 18, he left to serve eighteen months in the Signal Corps of the US Army stationed in Italy during WWII. Upon his return, he pursued college studies at Ferris State University and at graduation accepted a position with Kolmar, a cosmetics manufacturing company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He was soon relocated by Kolmar to Barre, Canada. In Canada, Walter raised a family of three sons and in 1971, became the president of Kolmar, a position he held until his retirement in 1990.

An avid outdoorsman, Walter spent much of his spare time piloting his float plane into countless remote lakes in Canada. He continued his love of the outdoors into his retirement.

He moved back to the Upper Peninsula and spent his time fishing, hunting, making maple syrup and delicious jam, along with renovating his cabin home with his partner, Shirley. He also had a love of cooking, gardening, golfing and traveling.

Walt was an example to all, walking along with his dog two miles every day in all kinds of weather until the age of 94.

A truly great man, Walt was a loving father to his sons, David, Steven and Allan; an incredible step-father and step-grandfather to his Wisconsin family and a loyal friend. He welcomed all family and friends to his log home on the Portage Canal where beautiful memories were made.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert; his son, David; his loving partner and high school sweetheart, Shirley; and his many very close friends. He will be truly missed by all.

The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock was in charge of the arrangements.

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