Cleopha A. Hirt, age 93 of Oldenburg, died Sunday, August 7, 2016 at St. Andrew’s Health Campus. Born May 18, 1923 in Franklin County Indiana, she is the daughter of Catherine (Nee: Harpring) and Joseph Giesting. She married Edward Hirt February 19, 1944 at St. Michael’s Church in Brookville and he preceded her in death June 29, 1993. Cleo for years cleaned the jets at the Hillenbrand Airport where the pilots affectionately called her “mom”. She was a member of Holy Family Church, the Daughters of Isabella, the Oldenburg Knights of St. John Ladies Auxiliary and was a charter member of the 500 card club.
Cleo was a kind, generous soul who loved unconditionally and was a friend to all. She enjoyed being with people and certainly never met a stranger, but more importantly, she preferred hearing about you rather than having the conversation focused on her. She also had the gift of being able to relate to both young and old alike. According to her family, Cleo was an excellent cook who wanted to feed you if you stopped for a visit, but ironically will be missed for her Rice Krispies treats. She enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Having grown up through the depression, Cleo never threw anything away and her kids teased that mom was the original recycler long before recycling was fashionable.
She is survived by daughters Darlene Hirt of Batesville, Doris (Jeff) McKee of Carmel, Indiana, Donna Hirt of Indianapolis; sons Denny (Jackie) of Villa Hills, Kentucky, Richard of Oldenburg; sisters Pauline Gillman of Harrison, Ohio, Rosemary Stercz of Cincinnati; daughter-in-laws Lynn Hirt-Davis of Naples, Florida and Mary Pfeiffer of Batesville; thirteen grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; one great great grandchild. In addition to her husband and parents, she is also preceded in death by sons David and Dale; brothers Leonard, Frank (Doc), Joseph, John, Virgil (Cap), and Arnold Giesting; sister Edna Sidell and daughter-in-law Carol Trexler.
Visitation is Friday, August 12th, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home with a rosary service at 4 p.m. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Saturday, August 13th at Holy Family Church with Rev. David Kobak O.F.M. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family requests memorials to the Oldenburg Academy Capital Campaign or Holy Family Cemetery Fund.