Robert Bitner

WASHINGTON - Robert L. Bitner, 85, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, while at Farmington Country Manor surrounded by family.

He was born May 24, 1929, in Peoria County to Otto and Ada (Doubet) Bitner. He married Anna Belle Jacobs, his only love, on Aug. 1, 1948, in Farmington, Ill. She preceded him in death on May 12, 1999.

He also was preceded in death by sons, Brad (1960) and their first born, Gary (2005).

He is survived by Graig (Stacey) of Washington, Ill., Jody (Tom) Finley of East Moline, Ill., and Deb Bitner of Peoria, Ill.

He had eight grandchildren, Angie Morel of Moline, Ill., Joshua (Ashley) Bitner of Missouri, Sean Bitner of Oregon, Toni (Blayne) McGraw of Denver, Colorado, Jason (Lauren) Bitner of Perth, Australia, Max Finley and Jacob Finley of East Moline, Ill., and Heidi (Larry) Mikell of Washington, Ill. He had eight great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Ava, Kirra, Lara and Bryson, Noah, Wesley and Aspen.

Four brothers preceded him in death, Arthur, Ward, Kenneth and Roger.

Two sisters are surviving, Juanita (Marty) Johnson of Sacramento, Calif., and Hazel Kinzer of Galva, Ill.

Bob was an avid hunter as a youth with his best friend, Frank Cernich, whom he also enlisted with in the National Guard.

He was most proud of building three different houses for the family with the help of many family members.

Bob was known for operating the Phillips 66 station in Elmwood from 1962 to 1969. He then went to work for Caterpillar Tractor Company; he retired from there in 1991.

He loved walking around the entire town of Elmwood with his beloved wife and enjoying coffee with the guys at the local restaurant.

He was an original member of the Elmwood Country Club, a member of the Moose Lodge of Farmington, and a member of the Masonic Lodge of Elmwood.

He enjoyed watching professional basketball, especially the Chicago Bulls during the winter, then baseball, especially the Chicago Cubs, in the summer.

He suffered from ataxia from 40 until his death. He inherited it from his father and passed it on to his son, Graig.

He loved traveling with Graig to meet the members of the Bitner family that had ataxia and those that didn't.

Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home, Farmington. Burial of ashes will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Farmington, at a later date.

To view Robert's memorial DVD and submit online condolences to the family, please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.