Gary S. Hile, 82, of Centre Hall, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born on March 15, 1939, in Pleasant Gap, he was the son of the late Clark V. and Eloise (Pownell) Hile. He was the first of eight children. On November 29, 1957, in Milesburg, he married the love of his life, Brenda L. Kellerman, who survives at home.
Gary graduated from Bellefonte Area High School in 1957. He graduated from Williamsport Area Community College in 1959 with an airframe and powerplant maintenance license. In February of 1962, he enlisted with the United States Army. Prior to his honorable discharge in 1964, he earned the rank of Specialist and qualified Marksman with the M-1 rifle and Sharpshooter with the M-14 rifle. Following his enlistment, Gary worked as an aircraft mechanic at Reading Aviation for eight years and attended business classes at Penn State Berks campus. Sensing a need for a career change, Gary moved back to Centre County. After several small business startups, Gary became the sole owner of Associated Woodcrafts, which focused on kitchen and bathroom remodeling.
Gary was a founding member of the Berean Baptist Church of State College as well as a member of the Penns Valley Men’s Choir and the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter #518. He was a man of many talents and was a skilled craftsman. He enjoyed creating things and was never idle. He spent the last number of his working years restoring classic aircraft and earned his private pilot license. Gary was a devoted husband and took care of Brenda, even assisting her with various sewing and quilting crafts. He was a man of strong Christian faith and generously gave of his time and resources to the point of sacrifice. In his personal and business life, Gary had an unwavering trust that God would provide for his needs. He was not a man of many words but showed his love and faith through his actions.
Along with his wife, Gary is survived by his three sons, David Hile and his wife, Beth, of Dillsburg, Steven Hile and his wife, Cheryl, of Boalsburg, and Adam Hile and his wife, Colleen, of Apple Creek, OH; eight grandchildren, Grant, Daniel, Helen, Lauren, Kristen, Rebecca, Emily, and Abigail; three brothers, Wayne Hile of PA, Dennis Hile and his wife, Kim, of Jersey Shore, and Marvin Hile of Pleasant Gap; three sisters, Lavonne Hall and her husband, Richard, of CO, Thelma Feek of IN, and Deloris Rushart and her husband, Robert, of IN; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Gary was preceded in death by one brother, Lynn Hile.
Following Gary’s wishes, services will be private. He will be laid to rest at the Centre County Memorial Park in State College.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his honor to one of the following ministries, The Alliance, Attn: Donor Services, in memo note the Straw Family and in memory of Gary Hile, 8595 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, L.I.F.E. Prison Ministries, 4 West Street, Office A, Newville, PA 17241, or to the Solid Rock International, CCED School, PO Box 20867, Indianapolis, IN 46220.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc, 228 S Pennsylvania Ave, PO Box 579, Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.