Lyle Francis Hitzman, a native and resident of Baton Rouge, passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at the age of 82 at the Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice. Lyle’s life was one of service to many. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1965 and served the Baton Rouge Diocese for 21 years as an associate pastor of numerous parishes. He was also director of Ecumenical Affairs, PreCana and Catholic Community Services. He obtained a Masters of Arts degree in History in 1972 and a Masters of Social Work degree from LSU in 1977. He was chaplain for Baton Rouge General Hospital Adolescent Chemical Dependency Unit and the Silkworth Center of Parkland Hospital. Following his withdrawal from active church ministry in 1987, he remained very active in church ministries at St. George and St. Jude parishes. After retiring from counseling from Capital Area Recovery Program, he stayed active with EBR Master Gardeners at the LSU Burden Center, gatherings with former classmates from St. Anthony Elementary School and St. Joseph Seminary at St. Benedict Abby and numerous ministries in his faith community of St. Jude.
He was a man of many interests – love for reading and quiet moments listening to his classical music were treasured. His love for family time with his sisters, Millie and May was always not enough and planned trips to Texas and Missouri to see Jerry and Louise were not often enough.
Lyle is survived by his siblings, Jerry Hitzman (Angela), Louise Petersen (Ron), Millie Coon (Mike), and May Daigre (Mike), Edgar Dayries, a cousin, numerous nieces and nephews, and Donna Montgomery, a special friend. He is preceded in death by his parents, Francis “Dutch” and Ethel “Lefty” Hitzman. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Jerry Hitzman, Jr., Ron Petersen, Jr., Michael Petersen, Wesley Cutrer, Christopher Daigre, and Brandon Daigre. Honorary pallbearers will be Edgar Dayries, Jr. and Matthew Cutrer.
Visitation will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 9150 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, conducted by Fr. Trey Nelson on Friday, September 8, 2023 at 9:00 with a Mass of Christian burial beginning at 11:00. Interment at Roselawn Memorial following the service.
The family would like to thank the Neuro ICU of Our Lady of the Lake and the Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice for their love and care in his final days. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Abbey or St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church.
