Walter Carl “Doc” Bittle
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family:"><span style=""> </span> Walter Carl “Doc” Bittle, age 86 of Jonesboro, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 10:10 am from Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO.<span style=""> </span> The youngest of nine children, he was born July 22, 1924 to Walter D. and Cora (Lingle) Bittle.<span style=""> </span> “Doc” grew up in the Beech Grove area and was baptized in Hutchins Creek at a young age.<span style=""> </span> Margie Belle Johnson became his bride on November 13, 1943 in Cape Girardeau, MO and they were blessed with three children.</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family:"><span style=""> </span> “Doc” served his country in the U.S. Army and during WWII he was stationed in Austria.<span style=""> </span> He then worked as a pipefitter in the #597 Pipefitters Union and lived in Custer Park, IL on the Kankakee River.<span style=""> </span> In 1971 he moved back to Jonesboro where he and Margie owned and operated “Doc’s Place” until they retired.<span style=""> </span> “Doc” loved to hunt and fish and was proud of his coon hunting trophies.<span style=""> </span> He was a member of and served as a Deacon at Lockard Chapel Baptist Church. <span style=""> </span>“Doc” lived and died surrounded by his loving family.</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family:"><span style=""> </span> Survivors include his wife, Margie Bittle of Jonesboro; three children, Terry (Rhonda) Bittle, Greg (Janice) Bittle, and Pamela (Duane) Bierstedt all of Jonesboro; eight grandchildren, Tanya (Robert) Loveless, Tasha (Jerome) Faire, Tara (Joseph) Rowan, Trisha (Preston) Cobb, Brandon (Paula) Bierstedt, Kelli Bittle, Scott Bittle and Brooke Bittle; six great-grandchildren, Taylor Loveless, Trace Faire, Mariah Faire, Raegan Rowan, Luke Rowan, Presley Bierstedt and numerous other extended family members and friends.<span style=""> </span> He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Cora Bittle; six brothers, Lloyd, Dennis, Lawrence, Leonard, Howard and Homer, and two sisters, Beulah Meritt McMahan and Mildred (Ervin) Emrick.</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family:"><span style=""> </span> Funeral Services for Walter “Doc” Bittle will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro with Rev. Jack Richardson & Rev. Gene Hart officiating.<span style=""> </span> Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, November 19, 2010 from 5 until 8:00 pm.<span style=""> </span> Interment will be in the Jonesboro Cemetery. <span style=""> </span>Military rites will be conducted by the Carrol P. Foster VFW Post #3455 and the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Team at the graveside.<span style=""> </span> Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lockard Chapel Baptist Church and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.</span></strong></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><strong style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family:">To view this obituary or to leave on-line condolences, go to:</span></strong></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><strong style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family:"><a href="http://www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com/">www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com</a></span></strong></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><strong style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements</span></strong></p>