Kenneth L Hyde

Kenneth L. Hyde, 85, of Titusville, Troy Twp., passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Ken was born on July 21, 1939, to the late Robert B. "Bob" and Jean M. Preston Hyde. He married Doneva Underhill on March 21, 1959 at St. Thomas Church in Corry.

He was a graduate of Titusville High School, Class of 1957. After a year at Penn State Behrend, in 1960 he began employment at Titusville Dairy Products Company. Ken and Doneva purchased their first farm on East Troy Road in Troy Twp., achieving his lifelong dream to be a farmer. Ken changed employment to Universal Cyclops Specialty Steel Corporation until he and Doneva started Hyd-A-Way Acres dairy farm.

Ken wisely utilized the practices developed by the Federal Conservation District to help build their dairy operation. Ken operated several part-time businesses while managing his registered Holstein herd. Among these, he built and sold grain bins and new/used farm equipment, transported livestock, and hauled milk under his Hydaway Hauling.
After retiring from their dairy operation and later a beef cattle herd, he enjoyed transporting members of the Amish community.

When his children joined the 4H program, he became a 4H leader, and this began his involvement with the Crawford County Fair, and Crawford County Dairy Committee. He was instrumental in planning the new dairy complex at the county fairgrounds and establishing the Dairy Committee kitchen in the Youth Show Arena. Ken's encouragement and guidance resulted in establishing the 4-H Dairy Exhibitors Cheese Yield Auction.

Ken served as Troy Township supervisor for 12 years. Ken was a director of Crawford County Fair Board for 18 years, remaining an honorary member. Ken received many awards and recognitions, such as the Friend of 4-H Award from the Crawford County 4-H Advisory Board in 1991, Public Service Award from the Crawford County Ponoma Grange in 1996, induction into the Crawford County Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1998, Conservation Farmer of the Year from the Crawford County District in 2006, and together with Doneva received his second Friend of 4-H Award in 2007, and Outstanding Fair Ambassador in by the PA Dept. of Agriculture for his service to the Crawford County Fair in 2015.

Ken will be remembered as leading a full and productive life filled with family, friends, and farming.
He is survived by his wife Doneva of 65 years; four sons, Lon Hyde and companion Julie Storms of Saegertown, Kenneth Shawn Hyde and wife Susan of Guys Mills, Kelly Hyde and wife Sue of Saegertown, and Andrew Hyde and wife Laura of West Hickory; four daughters, Regina Pilewski and husband Tim of McKean, Jill Meszaros and husband Dan of Cambridge Springs, Lisa Crago and husband David of Townville, Paige Solomon and husband David of Edinboro; sixteen grandsons, and sixteen granddaughters; ten great-grandchildren; his sister, Mina Cavanaugh of Mesa, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Edward Cavanaugh.

Visitation will be held at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home Inc. 303 N. Washington St. Titusville on Tuesday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at St. Titus Church on Wednesday at 10 a.m. with Fr. Daniel R. Hoffman, officiating.

Interment will be at East Troy Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Crawford Co. Fair Dairy Committee, c/o Katrina Proctor 3954 Franklin Pike Cochranton, PA 16314.
 

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