Jon Roderick Hitz

1942 - 2026

Jon Roderick Hitz

March 6, 1942 - February 19, 2026

Jon Roderick Hitz, 83, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Friday, February 19, 2026, at Edgewood Healthcare in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 24th, at 11 am, at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, with The Reverends Cory Burma and Joel Ripke officiating.

Visitation will be held Monday from 5 to 7 pm, at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue at the church on Tuesday from 10 am to the service time. Memorials may be directed to Gideon's International, Camp Luther, or to Peace Lutheran Church.

Born March 6, 1942, in Pierce, Nebraska, to Arnold and Lucille Hitz, Jon grew up on the family farm and graduated from Zion Parochial School in 1960. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Hynek, on October 8, 1961, in Hadar, Nebraska. They moved to Columbus in 1968 and shared 64 years of marriage.

Jon worked in sales before he and Betty opened El Matador Restaurant in 1980, operating it for 17 years until retiring in 1997. A devoted Christian, he served on mission trips to Cambodia and Tanzania, was a member of The Gideons International, and volunteered locally.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; children, Jeff, Brian (Lynda), and Julie (Gard); nine grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; siblings, Dorla, Rod (Karen), and Sally (Wayne); and extended family. He was preceded in death by his son, Bradley and family members.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com.