Donald “Gene” Hewitt passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Hope Indiana.

He was born on November 29, 1938 to parents Herschel and Lorene (Stafford) Hewitt in Shelbyville Indiana. On October 19, 1958, he married Rita Faye Magee and she preceded him in death on January 5, 2020.

He is survived by son Donald Hewitt Jr and wife Dani of Hope, daughter Michelle Graves of Frankfort, KY, grandchildren Matthew Hewitt and wife Heather of Forest Park, IL, Rebecca Dailey and husband Kealin of Lawrenceburg, KY, Jacob Graves and wife Kayla of Frankfort, KY, great-grandchildren Hudson Hewitt, Hadley Hewitt and Maylee Graves.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rita, parents, brother Jack Hewitt, sister Patsy Ruth (Hewitt) Norris and son-in-law Steven M. Graves.

Gene’s family moved to Waldron, Indiana when he was young. There he developed a love of the outdoors and an inquisitive mind about how things worked. He and his good friend Bob Baker spent much of their youth hunting, fishing, and trapping along Conns Creek and the Flatrock River.

He graduated from Waldron High School in 1957. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and was deployed for 3 years on the guided missile cruiser U.S.S. Canberra, mostly in the Mediterranean region.

After honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended Purdue University and earned a BS degree in Industrial Management. He entered General Electric Company’s 4 year management training program and lived in Cincinnati, OH, Conover, NC, San Jose, CA, and Ft. Wayne, IN. Eventually he accepted a position with Peerless Wire Company in Lafayette Indiana, where he was promoted to vice-president of sales. He and a colleague from Peerless Wire founded Allegiance Wire Products in Flora, Indiana.

A desire to be closer to family and friends brought him back to Waldron in October 1974 where he and Rita purchased a farm on the outskirts of Waldron. In 1975 he founded Hewitt Manufacturing Co. which he operated for nearly 50 years.

He was a member of the Church of the Risen Christ in Waldron. He was also a member of Waldron Masonic Lodge #217.

In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated and joined with his wife Rita in a private graveside ceremony. A celebration of life will be held for friends and family at a future date.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Miller’s Merry Manor – Hope and Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inc. for their compassion and excellence in care.

Donald “Gene” Hewitt passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Hope Indiana.

He was born on November 29, 1938 to parents Herschel and Lorene (Stafford) Hewitt in Shelbyville Indiana. On October 19, 1958, he married Rita Faye Magee and she preceded him in death on January 5, 2020.

He is survived by son Donald Hewitt Jr and wife Dani of Hope, daughter Michelle Graves of Frankfort, KY, grandchildren Matthew Hewitt and wife Heather of Forest Park, IL, Rebecca Dailey and husband Kealin of Lawrenceburg, KY, Jacob Graves and wife Kayla of Frankfort, KY, great-grandchildren Hudson Hewitt, Hadley Hewitt and Maylee Graves.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rita, parents, brother Jack Hewitt, sister Patsy Ruth (Hewitt) Norris and son-in-law Steven M. Graves.

Gene’s family moved to Waldron, Indiana when he was young. There he developed a love of the outdoors and an inquisitive mind about how things worked. He and his good friend Bob Baker spent much of their youth hunting, fishing, and trapping along Conns Creek and the Flatrock River.

He graduated from Waldron High School in 1957. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and was deployed for 3 years on the guided missile cruiser U.S.S. Canberra, mostly in the Mediterranean region.

After honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended Purdue University and earned a BS degree in Industrial Management. He entered General Electric Company’s 4 year management training program and lived in Cincinnati, OH, Conover, NC, San Jose, CA, and Ft. Wayne, IN. Eventually he accepted a position with Peerless Wire Company in Lafayette Indiana, where he was promoted to vice-president of sales. He and a colleague from Peerless Wire founded Allegiance Wire Products in Flora, Indiana.

A desire to be closer to family and friends brought him back to Waldron in October 1974 where he and Rita purchased a farm on the outskirts of Waldron. In 1975 he founded Hewitt Manufacturing Co. which he operated for nearly 50 years.

He was a member of the Church of the Risen Christ in Waldron. He was also a member of Waldron Masonic Lodge #217.

In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated and joined with his wife Rita in a private graveside ceremony. A celebration of life will be held for friends and family at a future date.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Miller’s Merry Manor – Hope and Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inc. for their compassion and excellence in care.

Funeral Directors, Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Gene’s family.

Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.