Othia "Gene" Hiles

Othia “Gene” E. Hiles, 76, of Topeka, passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. He was born February 8, 1941 at Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri. His family moved to Kansas City and he graduated from Argentine High School in 1958. “Gene” was Senior Coordinator of Operating Systems for the Santa Fe Railroad and later the Big New Santa Fe “BNSF”. His career began in Kansas City and later all the railroad system after he moved to Topeka. Mr. Hiles retired in 1999 after working for the railroad 47 years. He was married to Kathleen Elizabeth Dickerson on December 22, 1962 in Kansas City, Kansas. They attended Metropolitan Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City. Kathleen passed away in November of 2002. “Gene” married Mary Lingren on May 22, 2005 in Topeka. In Topeka, he and Mary were very involved in the Walnut View Home Owners Association.

“Gene” was civic minded, he enjoyed helping others out any way he could and did so without notoriety. He also enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lingren Hiles of their home in Topeka; children, Crystal Lynn Singer and husband Timothy of Odessa, Missouri, Steven E. Hiles and wife Graziella of Melbourne, Florida, Daniel Hiles-Jones and Albert of Topeka and Jason S. Hiles of Topeka; step-children, Ken Beaver and wife Tammy of Topeka, Debra Fritts of Topeka, Robert Beaver and wife Lisa, Leavenworth, and Ron Holzhuter and wife Karin of California; five grandchildren, Jennifer, Lindsey, Spencer, Stephano, Leonardo; four step-grandchildren; Katie, David, John, Remi; 2, great-grandchildren, Emma, Maverick; and 2 step-great-grandchildren, Hadden, Payton; two sisters, Marge of Kansas City, Kansas and Madeline Hardman of Kirksville, MO; “Gene” was preceded in death by a sisters, Mary Jo Miller and an infant sister.

Memorial services will be held at Davidson Funeral Home on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1:00 pm.  Inurnment will be held in LaPlata, Missouri on a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Foundation in care of Davidson Funeral Home, 1035 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, Kansas, 66608.