Robert S. Bittinger, 75, of Parker died at 4:25 a.m. Monday at the Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Sligo, after an illness.

Born Oct. 31, 1931, in North Washington, he was the son of Robert W. and Helen Stewart Bittinger.

A graduate of Concord High School in Hooker, he attended Edinboro State College, now Edinboro University, for several semesters.

He was a Presbyterian.

Mr. Bittinger retired from the Witco Chemical Co., Petrolia, where he was foreman of the tank yards for years.

He was initiated into the IOOF Lodge, formerly in Parker, where he participated in the annual minstrel shows as a lead singer for years. After the closing of the Parker Lodge, he became a member of Connoquenessing Lodge IOOF in Butler. He received his 50-year IOOF membership pin years ago.

A longtime member of the Parker City Volunteer Fire Company, he served many terms as president and spearheaded the building of the present day Parker Community Building-Fire Hall. He was recognized as Man of the Year in the 1980s by the Parker City Volunteer Fire Company. He was a social member of VFW Post 7073, Parker.

Surviving are a son, William "Bill" Bittinger and his wife, Ruth, of Pittsburgh; four daughters, Roberta Alworth and her husband, Dennis "Butch," and Bonnie Bittinger, all of Parker, Beth Gardner and her husband, Mike, and Barb Ritts and her husband, Ken, all of Emlenton; a brother, Gale "Butch" Bittinger and his wife, Ruth Ann, of Garner, N.C.; a stepbrother, Richard "Dick" Madison and his wife, Donna, of Butler; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

<B>BITTINGER </B>— Friends of Robert S. Bittinger, who died Monday, July 2, 2007, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Wayne Street, Parker. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at the North Washington Union Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parker City Volunteer Fire Department, Parker, PA 16049.Information also is available at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.