Columbus
Kenneth Franklin Noblitt, 79, of Columbus, died at 10:32 p.m. Saturday June 11, 2016, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Hope. He was born February 18, 1937, in Columbus, to the late Roy and Helen (Hill) Noblitt. He married Ruth Dalene Nolting June 21, 1958. She preceded him in death January 24, 2006.
Ken graduated from Columbus High School with the class of 1954 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps shortly thereafter. He worked for Indiana Bell before being hired by Cummins Inc. as a draftsman. During his time at Cummins, he furthered his education, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in engineering from Purdue University. He was involved in the building and design of the Cummins Walesboro plant.
After retiring from Cummins in 1984, Ken held positions with Harnischfeger of Wisconsin, Caltherm, Ivy Tech and CEDC.
Ken is survived by his four children Jane Noblitt of Columbus, Grant (Anne) Noblitt of Hope, Kerry (Timothy) Hurt of Hope and Laurel (Chris) Wilson of Columbus. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Aaron Hurt of Porter, Indiana, Ben (Lindsey) Noblitt of Columbus, Dylan Hurt of Greenwood, Spencer Noblitt of Columbus, Taylor Hurt of Hope, Preston Grimes of Columbus and Cheyenne Grimes of Columbus; great-grandchildren, Drake, Connor and Jonah Noblitt; a sister, Judy (Ed) Skinner of Greenville, Michigan; a brother, Tom Noblitt of Columbus; and many nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a granddaughter, Morgan Noblitt, and sisters, Nancy Petro, Sharon Phelps and Toni Franklin.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2016, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Marsha Rodenberger officiating and Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard providing military honors. Visitation for family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral.
Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Gideon’s International.
Friends and family are invited to light a virtual candle, send a message to the Noblitt family, share a memory of Ken or view his tribute video via the funeral home’s website.
