Ralph R. Bittner, 75, of Princeton, IN. formally of Fort Branch, IN, went home to be with the lord on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007 at the Chalier VNA Hospice Center in Evansville, IN..

He was born to the late Edward and Rosa (Rhinehart) Bittner on Jan. 11, 1932 in Evansville, IN.

He was aq school teacher earlier in life, of which he was very proud of, and retired in 1984 from the Sterling Brewery in Evansville, IN. After retirement he farmed in rural Fort Branch. Ralph belonged to the Holy Cross Catholic Church. He was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the Air Force from 1951 until 1954. He also was a member of the Fort Branch VFW Post #2714, the Princeton American Legion Post # 25, the Princeton Eagles, and the Evansville Owls. In 2002 Ralph received the Master Farmer Conservation Award by the Gibson Co. Soil and Water Conservation District.

Besides his parents, Ralph is also preceded in death by his wife Carol Jean (Weber) Bittner on Sept. 7, 2001; and 2 brothers, Earl and Harold Bittner.

He is survived by 2 sons. Rodney and Bradley Bittner both of Fort Branch, IN; 5 brothers and 3 sisters, Mildred Schultheis, Caroline Baehl, and Elevra Godeke all of Evansville, IN, Melvin Bittner of Haubstadt, IN, Francis (Marilyn) Bittner of Evansville, IN, James (Beverly) Bittner of Evansville, IN, Chester (Earleen) Bittner of Evansville, IN, and Edward (Linda) Bittner of Mt. Vernon, IN; a sister-in-law, Julie Ann Bittner, Wilma Bittner; and several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Anne Collins.

A mass of Christian burial will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 3 2007 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Fort Branch, IN, entombment will be in the Holy Cross Mausoleum, Fathers Tony Ernst and Gary Kaiser will be the celebrants.

Visitation will be on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 at the Stodghill Funeral Home located on Hwy. 168 West in Fort Branch, IN. from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and again at the church on Saturday, from 9:00 A.M. until service time. A Rosary will be conducted on Friday evening at the funeral home by the church parish at 5:00 P.M. The VFW Post 2714 will conduct military services at the cemetery on Saturday.