Howard Edward "Ed" Hitz, Jr., kicked the bucket on October 15, 2021, at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita. He was born on August 19, 1948, in Great Bend, the son of Howard Edward Hitz, Sr. and Anna Marie (Schommer) Hitz. He married Pamela (Weigel) Walters on September 15, 1993, at Great Bend.

Ed graduated from Great Bend High School in 1967. He was a HVAC service tech by trade. He was an outdoorsman, who loved hunting, farming, and raising horses, having raised American Quarter Horses for over 40 years. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, American Quarter Horse Association, Ducks Unlimited and the NRA.

Survivors include, his wife Pam Hitz of the home; a son, Jarred (Rachel) Hitz and grandson Drake of Inman; a daughter Jennifer Pozzuolo of DeSoto; a step daughter, Jessica Walters and grandson Oren of Great Bend; and two sisters, Imogene Hitz and Lottie (Mark) Marney, both of Wichita; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved silver lab, Stormy. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Irene Sue Erichsen.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.