Gilbert F. Bittenbender

Gilbert F. Bittenbender, 97, of Drums passed away Sunday in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton.

Born in Hazleton on April 17, 1926, he was a son of the late Warren and Etna (Peters) Bittenbender.

Gilbert, or better known by many as "Gil," lived a full, happy life. He and his family moved to the Butler Valley when he was a child. As a young boy, he proudly worked at Markle's Farm and Lingle's Turkey Farm in Conyngham before gaining employment at Genetti's Warehouse. As an adult, he held many different positions at local businesses throughout the Hazleton area, which included All-Steel, Conyngham Builders, Gallagher Auto Parts and in his later years, Sand Springs Golf Community.

However, it was not all work with Gil. He had a love for music that he pursued by singing with the Hazleton Barbershoppers, the Freeland Interfaith Choir and also with his church choir at Conyngham United Methodist Church.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, was the love of his life, Grace Ellen (Roth) Bittenbender, who he shared more than 67 love-filled years of marriage with before her passing in 2015.

Surviving are his nephew, Delmar Keshaw and his wife, Margaret; great-nephews, Jim, Sugarloaf Twp.; and Charles, Silver Grove, Ky.; and many cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday from Krapf & Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory, 530 W. Butler Drive, Drums. The Rev. Graham Truscott will preside.

Friends and family may call at the funeral home Monday morning for a public viewing period that will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Burial will follow in St. Johns United Church of Christ Cemetery.

Condolence messages may be entered in the family's memorial guestbook on the funeral home website at www.khfuneralhomes.com.