Kenneth James Hilts, age 58, of Scranton, Iowa, passed away on April 11, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, April 16, 2012 at the Church of Christ in Scranton with Pastor Bob McKnight officiating. Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Sunday. The casket will be moved to the church at 8:30 A.M. on Monday were visitation will resume until the time of service. Casket bearers will be Jeff Hilts, Jim Hermansen, Jerry Byerly, Doug Gibson, Earl Roberts, and John Loeffler. Honorary casket bearers will be Kenny’s grandchildren: Devin, Zachary, Cody, Cole, Alex, Adam, Elizabeth, and Ashley.

Born on May 8, 1953 at Akron, Iowa, he was the son of Harry and Lou (Mills) Hilts. Kenny was a lifelong resident of Scranton and graduated from Scranton High School in 1972. He was married to Marlis Stevens and the couple later divorced. On April 21, 1990 Kenny married Barb Forkner at the Church of Christ in Scranton with Pastor Bob McKnight officiating. Kenny worked for Teeters Hardware, Finch’s Motor Company, the Scranton Co-op Gas Station, the B & H Gas Station, and Allen Thompson Construction. He then went into business with Jim Hermansen as the Hilts Construction Company. Kenny was diagnosed with lung cancer in January of 2010. Kenny was an avid fisherman, he enjoyed woodworking, spending time outdoors, and being with his family and friends. He served on the Scranton Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

Kenny is survived by his wife Barb of Scranton; his mother Lou Hansen of Missouri Valley, Iowa, his mother-in-law Eva Gustoff of Jefferson, two daughters: Lisa Dankel (Scott) of Scranton and Heather Zack (Nathan) of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; three sons: Donnie Gustoff (Cathy) of Scranton, Terry Gustoff (Becky) of Callendar, Iowa, and Jeff Hilts (Valerie) of Laporte, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren: Cody Gustoff (Trena), Cole Gustoff, Alex Dankel, Adam Dankel, Elizabeth Gustoff, Ashley Gustoff, Devin Hilts, and Zachary Hilts; two sisters: Sue Seeley of Missouri Valley, Iowa, and Cathy Hilts of Long Beach, California; four brothers: Tom Hilts (Connie) of Ames, Iowa, Donnie Hilts (Karen) of Creston, Iowa, Bruce Hilts of Anaheim, California, and Chris Hilts (Tina) of Omaha, Nebraska; two brothers-in-law: David Forkner (Janet) of Scranton and Jay Forkner of Scranton, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Kenny was preceded in death by his father Harry Hilts, his step-mother Mary Hilts, his step-father George Hansen, his father-in-law Jack Gustoff, a grandson Steven Hall, and brothers-in-law: Gary and Ed Forkner.