Jo Ann Bittinger

Jo Ann Bittinger, age 63 of Hamilton passed away at Hospice of Hamilton at Sunrise on Monday, May 14, 2007 at 3:26 AM. She was born in Hamilton on January 13, 1944 the daughter of Russell and Caroline (Kahn) Geis. Jo Ann was employed as executive secretary at Hamilton Sorter, former marketing coordinator at Walden Pond, and most recently was a medical receptionist at Group Health Associates. She had a very active social life, including involvement in her card club gang for forty years, weekly bunco, Phase 10, and Farkle groups, and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Jo Ann was a member of First St. John United Church of Christ. She was actively involved in the lives of her family, and was an extremely loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Jo Ann was known for her lively sense of humor and was well-known for lighting up any room she entered. On September 26, 1964 in Hamilton, she married Martin "Butch" Bittinger, and he preceded her in death in 2002.

She is survived by two loving daughters, Julie Ann (Mike) Weldy of Hamilton and Nicole (fiancé Scott Bauer) Bittinger of Cincinnati; six grandchildren, Courtney Owens, Kandas Weldy, Brock Weldy, Jacob Weldy, Makenzie Jo Weldy (due May 24, 2007), and Travis Bauer; a very special and caring sister, Diane Getz of Hamilton; a niece, Krissy (Chad) Huffman of Hamilton; three nephews, Doug (Kathleene) Getz of West Chester, Kevin (Sue) Getz, and David (Angie) Getz, both of Hamilton; her mother-in-law, Glenna Bittinger; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marvin and Doris Bittinger; sister-in-law, Marlene Wright; other nieces, nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers-in-law, Ken Getz and Orville Wright; and an aunt, Corinne Kahn.

Funeral service will be held at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue, on Friday, May 18, 2007 at 10:00 AM with Dr. Allen Minor of Faith United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Jo Ann’s family extends a special thank you to Dr. Paula Weisenberger and Dr. Edward Crane and their staff, and to all of the Hospice nurses for their care and support. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 2808 Reading Road, Cincinnati 45206 or to Hospice of Cincinnati, c/o Bethesda Foundation, Inc., PO Box 633597, Cincinnati 45263-3597.