Donald N. Hewitt, 91, Beloit
BELOIT – Donald Neil Hewitt, a man of quiet strength and unwavering dedication, passed away on April 25, 2023, at the age of 91. He was born on January 13, 1932, in Salt Creek Township, Mitchell County, Kansas, to William Neil and Neva Muriel Broadbent Hewitt.
At age four, Don started school at District 93 Iowa School in Center Township, then graduated from Beloit High School in 1949. Don grew up working on his family’s farm. After high school, he continued farming with his dad, uncle Carlton, and brothers. He joined the United States Army on January 21, 1953. Don proudly served his country at Camp Lucas, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He was honorably discharged January 20, 1955, and was awarded a National Defense Service Medal.
Shortly after returning home from military service, Don met Cylene B. Peters, and they married on November 28, 1956, at St. John's Catholic Church in Beloit. They lived in Kansas City briefly while Don attended trade school to learn appliance repair, then remained in the Beloit area where they raised four wonderful children together.
Don developed many talents through his lifetime; he was a skilled woodworker, mechanic, machinist, welder, repairman, an inventor, and stockman. In high school woodworking class, he crafted a footstool, bookcase, vanity/ dresser, cedar chest, and using oak wood salvaged from an abandoned building, a desk – all items cherished by his family. Being self-sufficient and a dedicated provider for his family, he completed plumbing, electrical work, building, and much more. He was a lifelong farmer, worked part-time a few years for the Agricultural Stabilization Service, and served on the Center Township Board for several years.
Don's ingenuity and engineering were remarkable. With a few parts salvaged from Fred White’s lot and a Plymouth pickup, he built a front-end loader which he used many years to feed silage. Also from salvaged parts, he created a side-byside vehicle made from two bicycle frames, a motor, and a school bus seat. He designed a tool to help farmers streamline their fence installation process; his electric fence post driver consists of a steel cap and handle welded onto a section of light-duty angle iron with a footstep on the other end. It allows users to drive fence posts into the ground using only their body weight on the step. The driver eliminates the need to remove insulators when moving posts, saving time and labor. It also eliminates the need to use a sledgehammer and prevents fatigue from manual installation methods. This practical and efficient solution was recognized and featured in Successful Farming magazine. Don, along with his son Ryan, used the driver to drive thousands of posts.
Don was good at math and had a fantastic memory for dates of significance, such as anniversaries and birthdates; he could be counted on to recall this information for Hewitt and Peters relatives, including parents, aunts/uncles, siblings, and children. Demonstrating events most important to him, Don bought and kept an automobile for the birth year of each of his children (a 1957 Chevy Bel Aire, 1959 Plymouth Plaza, and 1974 Pontiac Bonneville), and a 1956 Jeep Pickup for the year of his marriage.
Though soft spoken and often a man of few words, Don’s actions spoke volumes. By his example, he showed how to love loyally and to laugh often. A caring husband and father, he smiled, joked, played, encouraged, supported, and protected. He was proud of his children and loved them unconditionally. He taught his children responsibility through his work ethic. Don would have measured success by the character of his children. Don and Cylene were blessed to spend over 66 years devoted to each other.
Don was known as patient, calm, compassionate, gentle, and for his humility and down-to-earth nature. He was most comfortable in his Key herringbone striped overalls, chambray shirt, and house slippers. He wanted others to feel comfortable in his presence; he welcomed visitors, enjoyed listening about their experiences, and invited them to return.
Preceding in death were Don’s parents; his son, Ronald Dean; two brothers, Robert and Larry; and greatgranddaughter, Alyssa.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Cylene; children, Carol Lea Maish and husband Alan, Renee Hewitt Soden and husband Garett, and Ryan Neil Hewitt; five grandchildren, Erin Nicole Urban and husband Jeremy, Amanda Lynn Maish, Westin Niel Lee Mash, Lakin Leekay Soden, and McKason Lendon Soden; two greatgrandchildren, Sean Riley Urban and Natalie Ray Urban; and a host of other family and friends.
Don's legacy lives on through his family and the lasting impact he made on those who knew him. He will be remembered for his commitment to his family and the lasting relationships he built throughout his life.