Dwight Hitchcock

Hitchcock, Dwight Dwight Ernest Hitchcock, age 98, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2020. Dwight was born on November 26, 1921 in St. Joseph County, Michigan, the son of Benjamin "Frank" and Ethel (Messler) Hitchcock. Dwight was a 1940 Graduate of Hickory Corners Kellogg High School, and he attended Western Michigan University. On August 10, 1942, Dwight married Norma Jean Butler. That same year, he began working for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Dallas, TX and later in Burbank, CA. He served in the US Army Air Force from 1943 to 1946. Following an honorable discharge at war's end, Dwight worked his entire career as a licensed landscape architect for Light's Garden Center and Landscape Nursery, retiring in 1986. Dwight was a member of the Michigan Association of Nurserymen, American Association of Nurserymen, and Michigan Association of Landscape Architects. He was the chairman for the Hope Township Zoning Board, and the first president of the Gull Lake Board of Education. Dwight enjoyed fishing, tennis, golf, bicycling, camping, and spending time outdoors. Dwight and Norma lived in the Gull Lake area for 18 years, the Delton area for 21 years, and the Bellevue area for 15 years. Their last years together were spent in Hastings and Heritage Assisted Living in Battle Creek. For many years after retiring, Dwight and Norma spent winter months in Florida and summer months at their cottage in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Dwight was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin Franklin Harrison and Ethel Mae (Messler) Hitchcock, and his wife Norma Jean Hitchcock. Dwight is survived by his sons Dwight Phillip Hitchcock, Paul Gilbert Hitchcock, Peter Franklin Hitchcock, daughter, Naomi Jane Ogden, daughters-in-law, Margaret Hitchcock, Shirley Hitchcock and Karla Hitchcock, son-in-law, Robert Ogden Jr., six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Respecting Dwight's wishes, cremation has taken place. A graveside service for Dwight and Norma will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, plant a living concolor fir or white pine at the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings. Arrangements are by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, MI. To leave an online condolence, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.