Donald Albert Hitzeman

November 19, 1933 - February 13, 2017

Donald Albert Hitzeman, age 83, entered peacefully into his eternal rest, joining his loving wife of 46 years, Carolyn, in the arms of our loving God, on February 13, 2017, following a lengthy illness and surrounded by the love of his family and friends. A beloved husband and father of four sons and one daughter, he was also a proud and doting grandfather and great-grandfather to 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Born on November 19, 1933, in San Bernardino, California, as the only child of Albert and Irene Hitzeman, Don grew up in the San Bernardino area, graduating from Saint Bernardine’s School in 1951. Don then enlisted in the US Navy, serving on aircraft carriers from 1951 – 1955, including service in the Korean War. After his time in the Navy, he moved to Oklahoma City, where he met the love and light of his life, Carolyn Opal Nitzel, whom he married in 1957 and remained married and madly in love with for 46 years, until Carolyn’s passing in early 2004. Their first son was born in early 1958 in Oklahoma City, where Don served as a police officer from 1957 until 1959, when they moved the family to San Bernardino, where their second son was born. Their growing family then moved to Fullerton, California, where Don had secured employment as a police officer. He continued to faithfully serve the people of that city for 26 years, until his retirement in 1985. During that time, Don and Carolyn had two more sons and then their daughter. Don served the parish community of St Philip Benizi Church for many years as an usher, a parish council member and its president, as well as chair and member of the Annual Fiesta Committee. He and Carolyn became members of the St Mary’s parish community in order to take his mother to Mass regularly, and then after she passed they became members of the St Juliana parish community. Even after he could no longer physically attend Mass, he devoutly watched Mass on television each Sunday morning and continued to receive Eucharist thanks to the loving Eucharistic Ministers of St. Philip’s parish. Don truly strived to live the two Great Commandments: to love God and to love one another, as he lived a life of service that demonstrated his deep love of God, Country, Family and Community. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Carolyn. He is survived by his 5 children and their spouses: Donald Wayne (Mary), David Alan (Greta), Dale Raymond (Heidi), Daniel Lee (Tracy) and Linda Louise (Chris) Contreras; his 15 grandchildren: Elizabeth Nell, Cari Lynn, Tamara Lenay, Scott Alan, Travis Daniel, Todd Ryan, Kathryn Irene, Hannah Marie, Austin Michael, Holly Lynell, Tara Christine, Holli Marie, Brandon David, Donald William, and Courtney Lyn; as well as by 8 great-grandchildren: Ella Rose, Kalli Danielle, Gavin Hawk, Aria Lynn, Korbyn Grace, Lenay Opal, Blaze Jackson and Ryan George. A Vigil Service will be held on Monday, February 20, at 6:30 pm, at Memory Garden Mortuary, 455 W Central Ave, Brea, CA. The Mass of Christian burial will be said at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 21, at St Juliana’s Church, 1316 N Acacia Ave, Fullerton, CA. A reception will follow at the Church and then a grave site service and burial, with military honors, will follow at 1:30 pm at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange, CA. Dad and Opa, we love you and will greatly miss you.