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Note: April 11, 1920 ߝ Sept. 13, 2003
Ralph H. BITTERLING, 83, 611 W. Ninth St., was called home by the Lord at 9:45 p.m. Saturday at Woodlawn Hospital, where he was a patient the past eight days. He had been in failing health for eight years.
Born in Kewanna to George and Hallie GUSS BITTERLING, he married Helen L. CONN March 12, 1941, in Jackson, Mich. She survives.
He was a resident of the Kewanna community 28 years and Rochester the past 16 years. He was a 1938 graduate of Kewanna High School.
A retired farmer, he was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He served two terms on the Fulton County Council. He was a 50-year member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His current membership in the IOOF Lodge was with Lodge No. 47. Prior to that, he belonged to the former Kewanna IOOF Lodge. He loved working with his hands and tools and his favorite hobby was woodworking, which he took great pride and pleasure in doing.
Surviving with his wife, Helen, at home, is one daughter, Lona HOOVER and husband Dave, Peru; two sons, Alan [BITTERLING] Rochester, and Jim [BITTERLING], Bowling Green, Ky.;
11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elnora MALMGREN, Oak Lawn, Ill., and Violet WILSON, Winamac. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Robert [BITTERLING], and one brother, Dale [BITTERLING] and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral service is at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Foster & Good Funeral Home, 128 W. Sixth St., Rochester, with Rev. Conrad BARNUM officiating. Visitation is 5-9 p.m. today or one hour prior to service Tuesday. Rochester IOOF Lodge No. 47 will conduct a memorial service at 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lake Bruce Cemetery, near Kewanna. Memorials may be made to either the Rochester IOOF Lodge No. 47 or to the Trinity United Methodist Church.
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