John R. Bittner

John R. Bittner, age 84, of Chilton, died on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at his homestead in Chilton.

He was born December 10, 1926 in New Holstein, son of the late John P. & Emma (Nennig) Bittner. John proudly served his country in the United States Army during the end of WWII.

Following his honorable discharge, he married Loretta M. Schmitz on June 9, 1949. The couple raised dairy cattle together on the family homestead until 1987 when they retired the cows, but continued to raise crops. Loretta preceded him in death on November 30, 2002. John married Vivian E. Schultz on June 17, 2006 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Chilton.

John was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and dedicated countless hours to the Perpetual Adoration Chapel since it was started in 1997. He was a hard worker whose devotion to the farm was only surpassed by his devotion to his family. In all that John did, he strove to make his children's lives better. In his free time, he enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers, playing a game of Sheepshead, Bingo, or going out fishing, hunting or trapping; every year, John looked forward to the Annual Pheasant Hunting Trip to South Dakota. He was a good friend; a person of integrity and honesty (sometimes to a fault) that would get along with anyone. John was always willing to learn something new, or try a new adventure…except jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. His frugalness was legendary; by persistence, he was able to fix nearly anything with just a bit of silicone caulk or duct tape. No matter what circumstances arose in life, John kept his upbeat spirit and positive vision of the future. Survivors include his wife: Vivian; his children: Mary (Joe) Schaefer of Brownsville, Michael (Cindy) Bittner of Oconto, Thomas (Cindy) Bittner of Chilton, James (Teri) Bittner of Wauwatosa, Mark (Lynn) Bittner of Bruce, Paul (Carol) Bittner of Menomonee Falls, Kristine (Kevin) Schreiter of Menasha, Jean (Mike) Bertello of Sherwood, Barbara Bittner and partner, Kathy Tegen of Hilbert; 21 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; a sister: Marie Wozniak of New Holstein; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Lester (Cecelia) Schmitz of Plymouth, Eugene (Mae) Schmitz of Green Bay, John Schmitz of Brookfield, John E. Kelly of Fond du Lac, & Lillian (James) Foote of Fond du Lac. John is further survived by Vivian's 10 children; 32 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Loretta; a son: Joseph Bittner; 2 brothers: Francis & Edward Bittner; and 2 sisters: Erma Daun and Armella Bolz. Funeral service will be at 11:30 AM on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (54 E. Main St.) in Chilton with the Rev. Bob Kollath officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Chilton. Friends may call at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 and on Thursday, at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM. A parish vigil service will be held Wednesday evening at the funeral home at 7:00 PM.

Online Condolences www.wietingfuneralhome.com

The family would like to thank all of the volunteers who assisted them Sunday, especially the members of the first responders and fire department.