TOWN of FAIRFIELD-Richard Max Hilts age 79 passed away peacefully on Saturday morning October 15, 2022 in Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica. He was born on September 12, 1943 in Herkimer, son of the late Max and Winifred Dye Hilts. A lifelong area resident he was a graduate of the West Canada Valley High School. On October 22, 1965 he was united in marriage to the former Claire Stella Reitz in Herkimer. They shared a loving and devoted union for over thirty-five years, until her passing on July 31, 2001. For thirty-eight years, Mr. Hilts was employed as a machinist for the Remington Arms Company in Ilion. He retired in 2005. Dick had a strong faith in God and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Herkimer. He loved the community that he lived in and for twenty years, proudly served as a town councilman. At one time he was a Herkimer Volunteer Fireman. In his leisure time he was an outdoorsman. He was an avid member of the East Herkimer Fish and Game Club. He enjoyed hunting, camping, 4-wheeling and canoeing. Once a year, for many years, he went canoeing with the Canoe Club, traveling through lakes and rivers in the Adirondack Mountains. To those who knew Dick will never forget what a friendly and likeable man who always had time to stop for a chat with people. He will be sadly missed by his many friends and family especially his cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surviving him are his son, Richard M. Hilts Jr. and his wife Vicki of Salisbury, four daughters, Jennifer Goldstein and her husband Dan of Fairfield, Jill Clark and her husband Dennis of Mohawk, Robin Hilts of Little Falls and Tammy Mosher of Ilion, One brother Jack Hilts and his wife Anne of Herkimer, a brother-in-law, Wayne Reitz and his wife Prapia, seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents and wife Claire he was preceded in death by two brothers, John Hilts and Larry Hilts and one sister, Gail Hilts. Calling hours for Mr. Hilts will be on Friday from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. A funeral service in the funeral home will follow at 1:00 pm with the Reverend Ronald Fralick and Pastor Kelly officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Memorial Gardens, town of Little Falls. Funeral Service

Friday, October 21, 2022 1:00 PM

Fenner Funeral Home Inc. 115 Court St. Herkimer, New York 13350 Calling Hours

Friday, October 21, 2022 11:00 PM

Fenner Funeral Home Inc. 115 Court St. Herkimer, New York 13350