Little Falls - Claire Stella Hilts, age 57, of West End Road, passed away unexpectedly on Monday night, July 31, 2001 in Little Falls Hospital. She was born on August 28, 1943 in Herkimer, daughter of Robert and Edna Lowell Reitz. A lifelong area resident she was a graduate of Herkimer High School Class of 1962". On October 22, 1965 she married Richard M. Hilts in Herkimer. For over thirty years she worked in the offices of the Chicago Pneumatic Company, Utica retiring in 1994. She was a member of the First Baptist Church Herkimer where she was treasurer of the First Baptist Church Christian Board. Up until three years ago she was in charge of the church nursery and was a leader of the Baptist Youth Fellowship. She had served as secretary and treasurer of the union at Chicago Pneumatic. Claire had a strong love for the outdoors, nature and camping. She will be greatly missed by many, especially her family. Surviving besides her loving husband of thirty-five years Richard, are one son, Richard M. Hilts, Jr. and his wife Karen of Little Falls; two daughters, Jennifer Hilts of Little Falls, Jill and her husband Dennis Clark of Mohawk; her parents, Robert and Edna Reitz of Herkimer; one brother, Wayne and his wife Prapai Reitz of Herkimer; four grandchildren, Kimberly, Courtney, Andrew and Kyle Hilts all of Little Falls; her mother-in-law, Winifred Hilts of Little Falls, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son John Hilts in 1965, a brother Robert Reitz and a sister Karen Ann Reitz. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. The Reverend Ronald Fralich will officiate. Interment will follow in Mountain View Memorial Gardens. Town of Little Falls. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 5:00 8:00 p.m. Memorial donation may be made to the Memorial Fund of the First Baptist Church Herkimer. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.