James A. Hite, 78, of Mishawaka, died Saturday December 31, 2016 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The South Bend native was born March 31, 1938 to Leroy Hite & Blanch (Gans) Hite Johnson. Jim retired as the founder & president of Heritage Park Models in Elkhart; he enjoyed his work and truly enjoyed & appreciated the people that worked for him. Jim was devoted to his family & friends; he enjoyed Nascar and the Cubs, working in the yard and caring for his dogs, Daisy & Gabby; he also enjoyed trying his luck at an occasional trip to the casinos. In additional to his mother & father, Jim was also preceded in death by his sisters, Joan Hancock & Mildred Runnels and his brothers, Kenny, Tommy, Leroy, Frank & Earl Hite. He is survived by his wife Helen Hite of Mishawaka; his sons, James (Lisa) Hite & John (Gina) Hite, both of Mishawaka, Ron Hite of South Bend and 3 additional children, Bruce, Brenda & Bonnie. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Reannen (Andrew) Eichorst, Rachel Hite Legge, Maria Hite & Alexandria Hite, all of Mishawaka and Rebecca Hite, currently studying in London; his great-grandson, Aiden Holbert; brother, Russell Hite of Niles; sisters, Joyce (Gene) Okonski of Mishawaka and Sylvia Knight of Niles. Funeral Services 10:00 Thursday January 5, 2017 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy. with calling one hour prior to services. Calling also from 5-8pm Wednesday in the funeral home. Interment in Fairview Cemetery. The family''s preferred memorial is one of the hospice organizations of the donor''s choice. To share a remembrance of Jim or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.chapelhillmemorial.com.