Harriett L. Bittner

Harriet L. Bittner, 88, of Battle Creek, formerly of Elkton, MI, went home to be with Jesus on July 24, 2010. Harriet was born in Chicago, IL November 14, 1921 to the late Alvin and Esther (Youngstrom) Strom. She attended grade school in Chicago and La Grange, IL and then graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1939. She earned a Bachelors Degree from Western Michigan University in 1943 and a Master’s of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan in 1960. Harriet taught high school mathematics at Fowlerville, MI one year before enlisting in the Women’s Army Corps in August, 1944. After Basic Training at Fort Des Moines, IA, she was assigned to Military Intelligence in the Pentagon, stationed at South Post Fort Myer, VA. On July 4, 1946 she received an honorable discharge with the rank of Technical Sergeant with a Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Harriet married Alvin E. Bittner on July 19, 1947 in Berrien Springs, MI and they made their home in Elkton. Harriet taught mathematics for twenty-one years in the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port school system. She was a member of the Elkton Civic Club, the V.F.W. Auxiliary, the Elkton United Methodist Church, Elkton United Methodist Women and she was a Sunday school teacher and assisted with Summer Vacation Bible School.
Harriet and Alvin moved to Battle Creek in 1976 where Harriet worked as an Air Force Cataloguer for the Department of Defense at the Battle Creek Federal Center. She retired from there in 1983. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and Christ United Methodist Women. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, needlework, reading, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and family gatherings.

Surviving are her son, Dennis (Karen) Bittner of Battle Creek; daughters, Diane (Jeffrey) Hawk and Lorraine (Nathan) Wagley both of Fort Wayne, IN; grandchildren, Stacy (Christopher) Haizman of Grand Rapids, Shawna (Chad) Goldstein of Green Bay, WI, Andrew (Carmen) Hawk of Huntington, IN, Laura (Brad) Fruth of Amboy, IN, Jonathan (Cassie) Wagley, David (Amber) Wagley and Daniel Wagley all of Fort Wayne, IN; brother, Kenneth (Charlotte) Strom of Rochester, MN and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; parents; sister, Dorothy in 1922.

Funeral services were held Thursday,July 29 11:00 A.M. at Bachman Hebble Funeral Service with Rev. Carolyn Robinson-Fisher officiating. Burial will be in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Boschway AFC Home, Christ United Methodist Church Susanna Circle or Lifespan Hospice Care.

Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes. (269)965-5145 www.bachmanhebble.com