Lena Frances Buttitta

URBANA \endash Lena Frances Hitch of Urbana passed away on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Champaign-Urbana Regional Rehab Center, Savoy. Lena was born Oct. 5, 1920, in Urbana, the daughter of Dominic and Catherine Manzella Buttitta. She married Franklyn Hitch in July 1945. He preceded her in death. Survivors include her son, Ronald (Jean) Hitch of Normal; two grandsons, Ryan and Jason Hitch of Normal; a granddaughter, Shannon (Kendric) Speagle of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and two great-grandchildren, Ellis and Vivienne Speagle of Scottsdale, Ariz. Survivors also include three sisters, her twin Fanny Bellucci, Catherine (Michael) Palmisano and Margaret (Paul) Dean. She was preceded in death by four siblings, Dominic and John Buttitta, Frances Harmatys and Mary Jo Gentille. Lena worked for several years as a seamstress at Illinois Glove Factory and Chanute Air Force Base. She also worked retail at Goldblatt's and the family restaurants and bars. Later, she sewed letters on sports apparel for her son's business, Impressions Sportswear. Ballroom dancing was her favorite pastime. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 26, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. before the service. Entombment will be in Mount Hope Mausoleum, Champaign. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Lena married Franklin Jesse Hitch, son of Jesse Hitch and Anna Dale Stevens, on 11 Aug 1945 in Champaign, Champaign Co., IL.¹ (Franklin Jesse Hitch was born on 02 Nov 1910 in IL ² and died on 24 Dec 1987.)