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Paul Bitz Obituary

Paul Joseph Bitz
Evansville, Ind.
Paul Joseph Bitz, of Evansville, Ind., passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21, 2014, at home. He was born in Evansville, Ind., on September 18, 1923 to the late Cornelius and Nellie (Shields) Bitz.
Paul was a graduate of Reitz Memorial High School and Evansville College/University of Evansville. During World War II he served in the 1877th Engineering Battalion in India. Shortly after his return to civilian life, he married Margaret Ernestine Mills (Tena), a union that created nine children.
He became active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving as Post 1114 Commander for five years, as 8th District Commander, and in several state positions with the organization. He received numerous honors from both the VFW and Disabled American Veterans of Indiana.
Paul also began pursuing his passion for public service. He was elected as Indiana State Senator in 1954 and re-elected in 1958. His legislative accomplishments included: property tax exemptions for seniors, the visually and hearing impaired; an employer requirement to grant military leave for reservists; and righting a legal wrong by finally giving people with epilepsy the right to marry.
Paul remained active in local and national politics following his State Senate terms. He was regional campaign manager for President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy. He helped head up campaigns for local, state, and national candidates, including Senator Vance Hartke. He was a stalwart of the local Democrat Party, President of the Roberts Stadium board for six years, and head of Voter's Registration for eight years. He was a devoted member of St. Benedict's Cathedral.
Paul and wife Tena (deceased) were proud parents of nine children, Mike Bitz (deceased), Greg Bitz, Cindy Korff, Bonnie Reinhart, Karen Stewart, Kevin Bitz (deceased), Kim Patrick Bitz, Terence David Bitz, and Roger Bitz (deceased).
Paul was blessed with 16 grandchildren, Tammy, Tracy, Jennifer, Dale, Darcy, Dawn, Tim, Andrew, Kevin, Heather, Holly, Julie, Jocelyn, Matthew, Ryan, and Douglas; plus 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
A Memorial Mass for Paul will take place in the mausoleum chapel at St. Joseph Cemetery in Evansville on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to St. Benedict Cathedral or to VNA Hospice.
Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier Press on Feb. 27, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Bitz

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Janet & Jim Gladish

March 4, 2014

Sympathy & Prayers to the family of Paul, he was a wonderful friend to the Gladish family for years and will long be remembered.

Tami Borgens

March 2, 2014

RIP
To bad I never got to know him or my Aunt Tena...We shared a lot of the same views.May your family find peace.
Tami Mills(Borgens)

Jamie Deming

March 1, 2014

Uncle Paul was a good man. I didn't get to know him or Aunt Tena all that much but his dedication was the real thing. Thoughts and prayers to all the cousins.

Laurie Cougill

March 1, 2014

Mr. Bitz was a good man, and never faltered in his efforts on behalf of his fellow man-he will be so missed.

KEISTON HOLLOWAY

February 27, 2014

ON BEHALF OF THE COMRADES AND SISTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA YOU HAVE OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE AND OUR DEPARTED COMRADE.OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.SINCERELY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA STATE CHAPLAIN KEISTON R.HOLLOWAY

Misty Hart

February 27, 2014

Paul was a wonderful man and will be missed by many! The family will be in our prayers!

Mary Kempf

February 27, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jules Avery

February 27, 2014

Having had the opportunity to call Paul a friend is truly a blessing. He was perhaps one of the sweetest men I have ever known and definitely one of the good ones. He always brought a smile to my face and never let me pass him by without a hug. God bless your sweet soul, dear friend.

kristyn blackard

February 27, 2014

Paul will be missed. He was a smart and funny man that we had the privilege to know. He guided my husband through a tough campaign and without his dedication, friendship, and knowledge I don't know what we would've done. He always had candy and a smile for my children and to this day they still talk about Paul. My daughter sleeps with the blanket he bought her so his memory will live on in our home. Our thoughts are with Paul's family.

Steve Wolf

February 27, 2014

God bless your father and family.

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Browning Funeral Home - Evansville

738 E. Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711

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