Art Bittner's Web Site

"... stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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(Updated by Cheryl Bittner)

Journal

Monday, May 26, 2003

With mixed emotions I want to let you know that a few minutes past 7 AM today, May 26, 2003, while peacefully sleeping, my brother, Art, passed from this life and went to be with his Lord.

I have mixed emotions because.....I am saddened and grieving for I wanted my brother to remain alive and healthy for the rest of my life.
I wanted to feel his big bear hug greetings.
I wanted to vicariously re-live his most recent adventure.
I wanted to hear his willing and infectious laugh, his wonderful guitar playing, and his smooth voice.
I wanted to see the charming twinkle in his eyes and teasing grin on his face.
But over the past few months cancer stole his hugs, his adventures, his voice, his eyes, and lastly his smile.

I have mixed emotions because.....I can declare with great joy that my beloved brother is no longer a captive of cancer. The word of God promises and I truly believe that Art is now with the Lord. As Jesus, our savior, said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-4
Art is no longer sick, and I believe (as the BIble promises) that he is transformed to a perfection we cannot even imagine. "For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die. When this happens--when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die--then at last the Scriptures will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory." I Corinthians 15:53-54

Our family is now planning a special memorial celebration and time of thanksgiving for Art's life at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 300 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA . The service will be held in the very near future. Please call the church (717-697-0351) or the family (717-761-0443) for further details if you would like to know the exact date and time of the service. See the church website for directions to the church -> www.mechpresby.org/index.htm

Cards can be sent to the entire Bittner Family at 102 St. John's Church Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or to me personally at 1001 Townsend Circle, Wayne, PA 19087. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018-4110 or via their website -> www.abta.org/donations.htm

Thanks so much to everyone for the encouragement, prayers, and comfort that you have offered to Art and our entire family over the past months and years.
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Below is Art's obituary:
Arthur E. "Artie" Bittner, Jr. age 40, passed from this life and went to be with his Lord on May 26, 2003 in Lewisberry, PA after a courageous three year battle with brain cancer. Born in Mechanicsburg on March 31, 1963, Arthur was the son of Edna Tiedgen Bittner and the late Arthur E. Bittner, Sr.

Art was a 1981 graduate of Cumberland Valley High School and a 1987 graduate of Temple University. Art achieved his childhood dream of being a professional musician. From the age of fourteen he performed throughout central Pennsylvania as a bass guitarist. From 1991-2000 Art played with bands based in Nashville and performed at the Grand Olde Opry in 1999. He toured throughout the US and Canada, performing both country western and rock music, and in 1996 Art made his home in Nashville. In 1991, 1996, and 2000 Art performed for US military troops in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions during tours sponsored by the Department of Defense.

Art was beloved by his family and is survived by his mother, Edna Tiedgen Bittner, of Camp Hill, PA; a sister, Cheryl Bittner, of Wayne, PA; a sister and brother-in-law, Robin and Dallas Agerton, of Mechanicsburg, PA; a sister and brother-in-law, Gaye and William Sharpe, of Englewood, FL; a brother and sister-in-law, Martin and Anda Bittner, of Camp Hill,PA and by three nieces and four nephews. He is also survived by his devoted friends, Max Drenning and Joy Thompson of New Bloomfield, PA, as well as by a multitude of other friends.

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Email address  : pekeapoo@comcast.net

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