Hermes J. Hitschmann, 85, died May 15, 2012 at Great Bend Regional Hospital. Born March 3, 1927 in rural Barton county, he was the son of Joseph E. and Emma (Reif) Hitschmann. On October 12, 1954, he married Valeda Moeder in Hoisington. A lifetime resident of Odin, he was a retired farmer and stockman. Mr. Hitschmann was a United States Army veteran serving in Japan during World War II. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Odin and a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7428 in Hoisington. Survivors include his wife, Valeda Hitschmann, of the home; two sons, Ed Hitschmann and wife Janet, Claflin; and Jim Hitschmann and wife Michele, Hoisington; a sister, Helen Zecha, Fort Dodge; and four grandchildren, Jennifer Hitschmann, Emily Hitschmann, Ethan Hitschmann and Taylor Hitschmann. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe Hitschmann and Clarence Hitschmann and one sister, Lenora Meyeres. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Odin with Father Charles Mazouch as celebrant. Burial will be at the Holy Family cemetery in Odin with military graveside rites by VFW Post #7428 and American Legion Post #286. Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday with a vigil service at 7 p.m. followed by a rosary, all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Claflin Ambulance Fund or Holy Family cemetery fund in care of the funeral home.