Daniel Edwin Hitpas, 79, of Breese, Ill., died Jan. 4, 2024, at Trenton Village in Trenton, Ill. Mr. Hitpas graduated from St. Dominic’s grade school and then Mater Dei Catholic High School in 1962. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and later a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He worked at Northwest High School in House Springs for 34 years, 26 as a math teacher and eight as a guidance counselor. In 1984, he earned the Jefferson County NEA Teacher of the Year Award. He participated in numerous marathons and 5K and 10K events and was a member of the St. Louis Track Club. He also enjoyed traveling and visited sites across the U.S., Canada and Europe. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in House Springs and later rejoined St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese after retiring in 2001. He will be remembered for his kindness and dedication to his family and community. Born Aug. 8, 1944, in East St. Louis, Ill., he was the son of the late Mildred (Kueneke) and Joseph Hitpas.
He is survived by four siblings: the Rev. Joseph Hitpas of Belleville, Ill., Tom (Diane) Hitpas of Westminster, Colo., Gary Hitpas of New Baden, Ill., and Jill (Scott) Grabinger of Centennial, Colo.; six nieces and nephews: Cassie (Dan) Varel of Nashville, Ill., Corrie (Chris) Huber of Overland Park, Kan., Callie (Brent) Terveer of Edwardsville, Ill., Mike (Sarah) Grabinger of San Diego, Calif., Lindsay (Rick) Otipoby of Denver, Colo., and Amanda (Nick) Maydew of Fort Collins, Colo.; and 13 great-nieces and great-nephews: Delaney, Reese and Grady Varel, Charlie, Jack and Henry Huber, Henley, Heath and Hayes Terveer, Addie and Bailey Grabinger, and Luke and Grace Otipoby.
He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law: Donna Hitpas.
Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. until a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 493 N. Second Street, in Breese, Ill., with the Revs. Joseph Hitpas and Patrick Peter officiating. Burial will be in St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese, Ill. Memorials may be made to Mater Dei Catholic High School or St. Dominic Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Moss Funeral Home in Breese, Ill.