Harold Bitting

Harold H. Bitting, 92, of Souderton, formerly of East Greenville, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at home. He was the beloved husband of the late Glenna (Adams) Bitting and the late Shirley (Weber) Bitting.

Born and raised in East Greenville, he was a son of the late Sterlan and Ellen (Hoffman) Bitting. Harold was predeceased by two brothers, Paul and Roger Bitting and a sister, Myrtle Scholl.

Harold was a founder and co-owner of the former B & H Food Market in East Greenville from 1947 until 1985. His first job as a youngster was that of a paperboy delivering three different newspapers. After graduation from East Greenville, H.S., he worked for the Baldwin ship building company in Chester until he decided to go into business for himself in 1947.

Like his family before him, Harold was a longtime member of New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ. Harold also was a proud member of Perkiomen Lodge #595 F&AM, The Rajah Temple of Reading, and the Lehigh Consistory, Allentown. He served on the board of the former East Greenville Savings and Loan, the Upper Montgomery Joint Authority and the Upper Perkiomen School Board. He was a founder and original Charter Member of the Indian Valley Country Club and a Past President of the East Greenville Fire Company. In 1989 Upper Perkiomen High School awarded him an honorary diploma in recognition of “having given a half century of service to society since graduating from high school.”

Throughout his life, Harold shared his enjoyment and love of sports and the outdoors – golf and gardening – with his family. Harold rarely, if ever, missed watching and cheering on his beloved Phillies, and was a long-time season ticket holder. His love of the game of baseball was nurtured at an early age at the East Greenville ballpark located where the existing B & H Market, Harold and his business partner Carl Hoffman constructed in 1960, now stands. It was at this ballpark where a young second baseman, Harold Bitting, played for the East Penn League championship Cubs. Harold was also an avid Penn State football fan, and gave his family many cherished memories of football weekend trips and tailgates.

For Harold, family always came first. Harold was a loving and devoted Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather, and will be deeply missed by his four children, Christine and husband, Robert Herbst of Chester Springs, H. Brian Bitting and wife, Caroline of East Greenville, Jane and husband, John Lumm of Ann Arbor, MI and David Bitting of East Greenville , five grandchildren, Amy Clatterbuck, Kristen Campbell, Andrew Bitting, Lt. Nicholas Bitting, Alyssa Bitting, and great grandson, William Campbell. He will also be missed by his eight step-children, Eric Brunner and wife, Polly of Telford, Bruce A. Kirkpatrick and wife, Terri of West New York, NJ, Steven “Jerry” Kirkpatrick, husband of late Patti, of Chambersburg, Kenneth Kirkpatrick and wife, Kathleen of Eagleville, Gregory Kirkpatrick and wife, The Rev. Amy of Schuylkill Haven, Colin D. Kirkpatrick and wife, Marie of Quakertown, Marcia A. Anderson of Warrington and Valerie J. and husband, Robert Hager of Perkasie; 18 step-grandchildren, Todd Brunner and wife, Lisa, Traci, wife of Matthew Older, Kyle Kirkpatrick and wife, Krista, Shaun J. Kirkpatrick and wife, Emily, Erin, wife of Gregory Griffith, Megan, wife of Gregory Neuhart, Katie, wife of Brian O’Mara, Kelly, wife of Kevin Olkowski, Kristin Kirkpatrick, Eric Anderson, Raymond Anderson, Jason Kirkpatrick and wife, Joslyn, Victoria Kirkpatrick, Jordon Kirkpatrick, Alexander Hager and wife, Alexandria, Grant Hager, Jillian Hager and Cassandra Kirkpatrick and 12 step-great grandchildren, Owin, Lexi, Marc, Ayden, Elise, Jack, Dylan, Hudson, Olivia, Liam, Mackenzie and Elleanna. .

Harold was also blessed by his circle of friends and neighbors with whom he shared deep friendships. In his later years, Harold particularly enjoyed and looked forward to his weekly get-togethers with his special card playing buddies and friends – these shared bonds of friendship were very meaningful to Harold. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank these special friends and neighbors who participated in Harold’s life in such a supportive and meaningful way.

On Harold’s behalf, the family would also like to express their sincere gratitude to the extended Grandview Hospital family of caregivers. Excellent care was faithfully provided by Lauren and her home healthcare nursing colleagues, the hospice nursing staff and Colette and Family CareGivers. The family would also like to extend a very heartfelt thanks to Dr. Paul Hermany for so expertly, faithfully and lovingly attending to our Father and Grandfather these many years. And, finally, a special thanks to Harold’s nephew, Dr. Harvey Scholl, Jr., for also unhesitatingly, helpfully and lovingly always checking in on his Uncle. All of you helped and sustained him in immeasurable, caring ways, for which Harold and his family are sincerely grateful.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ, 1070 Church Road, East Greenville, PA, 18041. A visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, 222 Washington Street, East Greenville and also from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the Church. A Masonic Funeral service is planned for 10:45 a.m. at the Church. Share memories and offer sympathy to the family at www.mannslonakerfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Harold’s name to the Bitting Endowment Fund at New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ or Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 3551 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140.