Joseph Raymond Bittel Jr.

Joseph Raymond Bittel, Jr, 74, passed away at Owensboro Health on September 28, 2025, surrounded by family. Born in Owensboro, to the late Joseph Raymond Bittel, Sr. and Virginia Sisk Bittel on April 14, 1951. He attended Owensboro Catholic High School until he was told to maybe attend elsewhere and then graduated from Owensboro High School in 1969. He also attended Owensboro Community College for fire science.

In June of 1972 he joined the Owensboro Fire Department. By January of 1985 he was named lieutenant. July of that same year he was named Captain. A title that was oddly enough never taken away from him, until his retirement in 2002. Even shooting his own finger off, they thought he was still a good one to keep on payroll. The nickname ‘Stubby’ was rightfully given and stuck.

Jamie and Joe’s story began at the legendary Brass A Saloon in 1979, where Joe broke out his best (and possibly worst) pick-up lines. After plenty of persistence, Jamie finally broke down and said yes. They married on June 6, 1981, and spent his lifetime making memories together.

He was a proud member of the Owensboro Jaycee’s for 20 years, 7 of those as a board member. On the KY Jaycee Senate he served as President and was also on the Executive Board. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. For 14 years he served on the Owensboro BBQ Festival committee and could always be found cooking the night away during the festival for 30 plus years on several different cooking teams. And if he wasn’t there, he was asleep at the Big E.

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) got to be graced with his presence for nearly 40 years at quite a few locations across the US. As Exhibit Hall Manager, among other roles, he was responsible for quite a bit, which to our surprise, he didn’t screw up.

When ROMP started up in 2003, he became a fixture to the scene as Site Manager/Coordinator. You could always find him backstage, but he was most definitely on something with 4 wheels getting there. His love of bluegrass ran deep. So did his desire to make sure all the food vendors hired had food he liked.

Joe grew up in the funeral home world, so after wrapping up his fire department career, joining Glenn Funeral Home felt like coming full circle—he always did know how to make an entrance and an exit.

Joe had a knack for growing prized tomatoes and somehow knowing absolutely everyone, no matter where he went. He loved his Lake Barkley family and friend time, flat boat racing back in the day, hunting deer, cheering on his favorite teams, and spending time with his grandkids, who kept him laughing—and sometimes just shaking his head.

He was preceded in his death by his father and mother; younger siblings, William Howell and Paula Bittel; brother-in-law, Fred Coomes, Jr.; and father and mother-in-law, Dr. James H. Frank and Norma Frank.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jamie Frank Bittel; brother, Father Patrick M. Bittel; and sister, Sharon Bittel Coomes. Eldest daughter, Lauren Bittel Payne and husband Chris; youngest daughter, Lynnsie Bittel Fulkerson and husband Jeremy; three grandchildren, Carly Payne, Shelby Fulkerson and Laken Payne, who will miss their ‘Bubby’ deeply; also, his brother and sister-in-law, David Frank and Marjorie Anders; and a whole bunch of nephews, nieces, greats and great-greats.

A special thank you to his team at Owensboro Health CCU for truly going above and beyond in his last few days.

The funeral Mass for Joe will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2025, at St. Martin Catholic Church with his brother Father Patrick M. Bittel officiating. Burial to follow in Mater Dolorosa Catholic Cemetery with the fireman’s final bell honor ceremony being performed. Visitation will be held Thursday from 3 until 7 p.m. with prayers at 6:30 p.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, and on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Owensboro Fire Department Community Relief Fund / Owensboro Professional Firefighters 512 W 9th St, Owensboro, KY 42301 or to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum c/o Education 311 W 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Memories and condolences for the family of Joe Bittel may be left at www.glenncares.com.