TOPEKA, IL - Clyde Eugene Bitner, 84, of Topeka passed away at 12:42 a.m. on Sunday, May 16, 2010, at Havana HealthCare Center.

He was born July 29, 1925, to Wilfred and Barbara (Bennett) Bitner. He married Elizabeth A. Gordon on Dec. 11, 1948, in Manito. She preceded him in death on Dec. 11, 1991.

Mr. Bitner is survived by two sons, Gary Bitner of Topeka and Michael Bitner of North Carolina, and three grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Eleanor Hasty and Elizabeth (Charles) Ragland, both of Manito, and three brothers, Leonard (Donna) Bitner of Gilbert, Ariz., Wilfred (Nancy) Bitner Jr. of Havana and Clark Bitner of Kaneville, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Bud; and sister, Ruth.

Mr. Bitner was a member of the Havana Church of Christ.

He worked for Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria for 30 years, retiring as a machine operator. He served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne unit as a paratrooper and was at Normandy on D-Day.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the Hurley Funeral Home in Havana. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening, also at the funeral home. Burial will follow the services in Presbyterian Cemetery at Topeka. Warren Hughes will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.

[published in the Peoria Journal Star on 5/17/2010]