Jean Pile Hittie

Jean Pile Hittie, 96, of New Freedom, entered God’s eternal care on Saturday, October 24, 2026, peacefully, at Country Meadows in Leader Heights. Born May 22, 1930, in Somerset County, PA, she was the daughter of the late Russell and Ruth (Carver) Pile. She was the wife of the late Robert C. “Bob” Hittie, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage until his death June 5, 2017.

Jean was a graduate of Stonycreek Twp. High School in Shanksville, PA, and Cambria Rowe Business College in Johnstown, PA. She was the past secretary for many years of R-Hi, Inc., a group of True Value Hardware Stores owned by Jean and her husband, and then later their sons Scott and Bradley Hittie. She was also a past employee of New Freedom True Value Hardware Store, American Insulator Corp. and Somerset Rural Electric.

Jean was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of New Freedom. She was also a member and past President of the E.L.C. Women’s Group, member and past President of the New Freedom Woman’s Club, past President and Charter member of the New Freedom Jaycettes, past Cub Scout Den Mother, past Sunday School teacher in the Children’s Dept. at St. John and Friedens Lutheran Church, volunteer at the Lutheran Home in Shrewsbury for over 20 years, volunteer with the Reach to Recovery program of the American Cancer Society, volunteer with Southern Coalition Transportation, served as South York Conference Coordinator of Friends of Gettysburg Seminary, served on the Board of Directors of the South Central Senior Community Center for 10 years, and was Secretary of the Board. Jean was honored with the Melvin Jones Fellowship by the New Freedom Lions Club and honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution for Community Service.

Jean is survived by her two sons, Scott Hittie and wife Sheri-Le of Stewartstown, and Bradley Hittie and wife Bonnie of New Freedom, five grandchildren, Caitlin Milzcik, Elisabeth Simmons, Samantha Hittie, Brian Hittie, and Joshua Hittie, as well as four great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister Pat Gebhart of Hagerstown, MD., and many precious nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Bob, Jean was preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy Bittner, Kathryn Carter, Thelma Miller, as well as her brothers, Dalton, Delphin, Cletus, William and Karl Pile.

A viewing will be held 6 PM to 8 PM, Friday, October 30, 2026, at Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc., 24 N 2nd St., New Freedom, PA 17349, as well as 10 AM to 11 AM, Saturday, October 31, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church, 175 E Main St., New Freedom, PA 17349. A funeral service to celebrate Jean’s life will begin at 11 AM at the church, with Rev., George Schneider and Rev. Brandon Testerman officiating, and a luncheon afterwards. Cremation will follow and burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to H.O.P.E. (Help for Oncology Problems & Emotional Support), 13275 Blymire Hollow Rd., Box 279, Stewartstown, PA 17363, or to the American Red Cross.

The Hittie family would like to thank both Country Meadows Retirement Community as well as Lifesong Hospice for their compassionate care of Jean.

Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc., has been entrusted by the family with the arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.Hartensteincares.com.