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

The funeral service will be on Tuesday, February 24, at 11: OO AM at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, with Reverends Cory Burma and Joel Ripke officiating.  Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Tuesday at the church from 10:00 AM until service time.  Memorials may be directed to Gideon's International, Camp Luther, or to Peace Lutheran Church.

Jon was born on March 6, 1942, in Pierce, Nebraska, to Arnold and Lucille Hitz. He grew up on the family farm in Pierce and attended country school through the sixth grade, Zion Parochial School in Pierce, and graduated from Pierce High School in 1960.

On October 8, 1961, Jon married his high school sweetheart, Betty Hynek, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hadar, Nebraska. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work. In 1968, Jon and Betty moved from Norfolk to Columbus, Nebraska, where they made their home for the next 58 years.

Jon worked in sales for many years before he and Betty pursued their dream of business ownership. In 1980, they opened El Matador Restaurant in Columbus. For 17 years, Jon and Betty proudly owned and operated the restaurant, creating not just meals, but lasting memories for the community they loved. He retired in 1997.

A devoted Christian, Jon began participating in missionary work in 2008, first traveling to Cambodia and later making five trips to Tanzania. In 2015, he became a member of the Gideons. Throughout the years, he dedicated much of his time to volunteer work at Camp Luther, Columbus Rescue Mission, and Youth for Christ. He also faithfully served in many roles at Peace Lutheran Church. In his free time, Jon enjoyed hunting and fishing and traveling the world with his wife.

Jon was a devoted husband and Father. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Betty Hitz; his children, Jeff Hitz of Norfolk, Brian (Lynda) Hitz of Columbus, and Julie (Gard) Frerichs of Grand Island. He was a proud grandfather to Nichole (Scott) Evans of Norfolk, Brittany (Seth) Ahrens of Columbus, David Hitz of Omaha, Austin Hitz of Grand Island, Candace (Anthony) Marr of Lincoln, Brett (Britni) Hitz of Blair, Megan Robinson of Columbus, Joshua Frerichs of Grand Island, and Jon (Alexis) Frerichs of Kearney. He also leaves behind many great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jon is also survived by his siblings: Dorla Warneke of Norfolk, Rod (Karen) Hitz of Norfolk, and Sally (Wayne) Anderson of Grand Island.

Jon was preceded in death by his son, Bradley Hitz; his parents, Arnold and Lucille Hitz; his infant brother, James Hitz; his sister, Lynda Fotopulos; his brother-in-law, Paul Warneke; and his father- and mother-in-law, George and Edna Hynek of Pierce.

Jon will be remembered for his strong work ethic, unwavering faith, dedication to his family, and the pride he took in serving his community. His legacy lives on through the generations of family who were blessed by his love, guidance, and example.