Hope Marie Birt went to be with the Lord on January 1, 2025 surrounded by family at Putnam County Hospital. She was born December 31, 1930, the daughter of Roy Leonard and Josephine Georgetta (Ellis) Eriksen in Toledo, Ohio.

Hope moved to Greencastle as a sophomor in high school, where she met the love of her life James V. Birt. They were married December 29, 1951 until his passing on August 30, 2021. She was a waitress while in school and after graduation worked for Public Service Indiana until starting a family. She was active in Home-Ec clubs and loved tatting, quilling, crocheting and flower gardening in the spring and summer. She was a decades long member of First Baptist Church of Greencastle, serving as a deaconess and on various other boards.

In addition to her parents and husband, Hope was preceded in death by brother Bryant Eriksen, sisters Claramae, Faith and Love Eriksen, as well as her beloved in-laws James Edward and Mae Tecumpseh Birt.

She is survived by her sons Eric (Judi) Birt, Aaron (Julie) Birt; grandchidlren Michelle (Alex Kruse) Birt, Jennifer (Brent Sisk) Birt, Andrew Birt, Grayson Birt, and Samantha Birt; great grandchildren Piper Birt, Addison Kruse, Lillian Kruse, and Spencer Kruse.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 8, 11:00AM-1:00PM at First Baptist Church, 404 Judson, Greencastle, Indiana. Service to follow at 1:00PM. Private burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, Greencastle. In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests donations directed to First Baptist Church or the Humane Society of Putnam County.