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Duane Bitner
Born in Florida
83 years
123791
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     E. Duane Bitner, 83, of Trivoli, passed away at 10:05 a.m. on Monday, November 23, 2009, at Farmington Country Manor in Farmington.

     Duane was born on October 5, 1926 in Pensacola, FL, a son of Lemuel Everett and Florence M. (Fries) Bitner. He was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Joseph Baer, who raised him. He married Emily M. Wagner on March 26, 1948 in East Peoria. She survives.

     He is also survived by his daughter, Valerie (William) Cole of Peoria; sons, Michael Bitner of Canton and Joseph “JC” (Susan) Bitner of Mexico, MO; sister, Wanda Perrine of Florida; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

     Duane was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran. He was involved in the development of the MIM-23 HAWK Missile for the Raytheon Company in Massachusetts.

     He retired, after thirty-five years of service, as a Research Chemist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Northern Regional Research Laboratory in Peoria.

     He was a member of the Trivoli United Methodist Church and the Texas United Methodist Church in rural Trivoli, the American Oil Chemists’ Society, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, the National Rifle Association and the National Association for Amateur Radio.

     Duane had his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. He also enjoyed farming, working outside, listening to Western music, collecting coins and stamps, planting trees and spending time on his farm.

     Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2009, at Clary Funeral Home, 428 West McClure Avenue, in Peoria, with the Pastor Ray Harrison officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 27, 2009, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Texas United Methodist Church Cemetery, with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy.

     Memorial contributions may be made in Duane’s memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.


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Latest Memories
Julie Cagle

Dear Emily:

 

It was with a sad heart to heart about Duane's passing.  I have kept in touch with people in the area after we moved and I always asked how you were doing.  My heart saddens at the thought of you without Duane, your soul mate.  I remember the wonderful memories of the many years when we lived next to you in Trivoli.  I always appreciated the thought that if anything happened we had a wonderful and close neighbor who loved the country as much as we did.

 

I loved that you both loved to see Sam, our son, all of the time, growing along with us.  I looked forward to our talks all of the time - usually Sunday mornings on the back of a horse in your driveway.   

 

Please take care and I am glad that Duane is at peace - probably running the mower somewhere and smiling, loving the after life.

 

Take care!

 

Julie and Sam Cagle


Latest Condolences
Robert Harnish Pastor November 27, 2009

Dear Emily:

I  wish to express our sympathy and prayers to you and your family.We were sorry to read in the paper of the death of Duane. It has been many years since we have had any contact. I am thankful  for the many memories and times that we did have a relationship back when we lived in East Peoria at Highway Village. We presently live in a cottage at Maple Lawn  Homes Retirement Community in Eureka.

God's richest blessings , comfort and peace in Christ,

With love Bob and Ruth Harnish

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