Charles H. Hilton, 81, of Palmyra, formerly of Port Charlotte, FL, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at the WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital. He was the husband of Mary M. Leed Hilton. On March 6, they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Born in Lebanon on Aug. 27, 1943, he was the son of the late Charles H. Hilton Sr. and Margaret Brightbill Hilton Fancovic.
Charles worked for Hershey Chocolate for 42 years. Prior to moving to Florida for the past 13 years, he was a member of the Jonestown United Methodist Church. Once he moved, he became an active member of the Gulf Cove United Methodist Church, Port Charlotte, FL. He enjoyed working with the youth department and going on the youth mission trips. He worked in the kitchen at the church and was known by many at church as “Grandpa.” He enjoyed crafting and bird watching.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Lorie A., wife of Kelly Berkheimer, of Lebanon; sons, Charles A., husband of Beth Hilton, of Lebanon, Anthony C. Hilton, of Englewood, FL, and Robert L., husband of Kimberly Hilton, of Annville; his “bonus children,” Regina, wife of the late Ed Trokie, of Lebanon; brothers, John Hilton, of Manheim, and Steve Fancovic, of Lebanon; sisters, Margaret Rausch, of Cleona, Claudette Heckard, of Lebanon, and Miriam Wenger, of NJ; 26 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; and several “church grandchildren.”
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald Brightbill and Christopher Fancovic; and sister, Dell Jean Hilton.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Gulf Coast United Methodist Church, Team Cuba Fund, 1100 S. McCall Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33981.
