Carl E. Bittinger

Carl E. "Shorty" Bittinger, 79, of Shippensburg, died on the evening of Thursday, July 19, 2012, at Chambersburg Hospital. He was born on Sept. 2, 1932, in Newville, a son of the late Gladys Rebecca Bittinger.

Carl was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, enlisting on April 6, 1951, and honorably discharged on April 8, 1954. Upon his discharge, Carl met and then married Ms. Mary Anne Nehf on May 9, 1959 at the Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church, Chambersburg.

Carl had a long career as a heavy equipment operator. He started out working for the state of Pennsylvania, plowing snow, and then worked for many of the local excavating companies, such as Snoke's, R & D, Speidel's and Wadel's.

He was a long-time member of the Cleversburg United Methodist Church and sang in the choir. He was a member of the Durff-Kuhn V.F.W. Post 6168, Shippensburg. Carl enjoyed working on tractors (he could fix just about anything), hunting, and most of all, spending lots of time with his family.

Carl is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Anne; his son, Joseph William (Crystal) Bittinger of Shippensburg; three daughters, Tammy Lee (Frank C.) Forney, Rena Kay (Bryan L.) Gigous, and Wanda Anne (Tyler S.) Watson, all of Shippensburg; eight grandsons, Jeremy Joseph Eugene Bittinger, Hunter Scott Forney, Devin Scott Watson, Derek Tyler Watson, Austin James Watson, Casey Joshua Gigous, Bret Aaron Watson and Garrett Ryan Gigous; two granddaughters, Brittney Lea Bittinger and Sarah Marie Forney; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his mother, Carl was preceded in death by his brother, Arthur Bittinger, and his sister, Ethel Kyner.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, at the Cleversburg United Methodist Church. Pastor Barbara A. Servello will officiate. Interment with military honors, conducted by the Shippensburg Area Veterans Council, will follow in the Parklawns Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday evening, in the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home, Inc., Shippensburg, and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cleversburg United Methodist Church, 12 Strohm Rd., Shippensburg.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com.