Betty Jean Bittner (nee Dodge)

Bittner, Betty Jean (nee Dodge) of Ellisville, Mo., formerly of Hamilton, N.J., on March 18, 2013. Born on April 3, 1924, in Olathe, Kansas to Clair R. and Lorraine L. Dodge. Predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert E. Bittner, and parents. Dearest mother of Karen A. Ruder (Gary) of Ellisville, Mo; Susan C. Gephart (Stephen, deceased) of Columbus, N.J.; Robert E. Bittner II (Judy) of Palm Coast, Fl.; Dennis C. Bittner (Beth) of Jacksonville Beach, Fl.; and Thomas R. Bittner of Ellisville. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was the patient and loving mother of five, including a special needs son.

As a child, Mrs. Bittner often took fishing trips with her parents in Missouri. She played many sports in high school, including basketball and softball. She pursued her love of aviation as a teen-ager when she took flying lessons at the Kansas City Municipal Airport during the early 1940?s. Mrs. Bittner later met her husband Robert while ice skating. Robert was a US Naval Aviator instructor pilot at the US Naval Base in Olathe, Kansas. They were married for 67 years, prior to Robert?s death in November, 2012. They lived in Hamilton, N.J. for 63 years.

After raising her family, Mrs. Bittner resumed flying in the 1970?s in a J-3 Piper Cub that she owned with her husband. She spent many happy years with all of her family on the family tree farm. She loved reading, was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing tennis.

Special thanks to Heartfelt Hands Senior Services and Mercy Hospice.

Services: Funeral from the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Friday, 9:30 a.m. to St. Alban Roe Catholic Church, Wildwood for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Louis Arc for Special Needs Citizens or Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc. Visitation Thursday 4-8 p.m. Friends may sign the family?s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.