Walter "Doc" Carl Bittle

Walter Carl "Doc" Bittle, age 86 of Jonesboro, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 10:10 am from Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO. The youngest of nine children, he was born July 22, 1924 to Walter D. and Cora (Lingle) Bittle. "Doc" grew up in the Beech Grove area and was baptized in Hutchins Creek at a young age. Margie Belle Johnson became his bride on November 13, 1943 in Cape Girardeau, MO and they were blessed with three children. "Doc" served his country in the U.S. Army and during WWII he was stationed in Austria. He then worked as a pipefitter in the #597 Pipefitters Union and lived in Custer Park, IL on the Kankakee River. In 1971 he moved back to Jonesboro where he and Margie owned and operated "Doc's Place" until they retired. "Doc" loved to hunt and fish and was proud of his coon hunting trophies. He was a member of and served as a Deacon at Lockard Chapel Baptist Church. "Doc" lived and died surrounded by his loving family. Survivors include his wife, Margie Bittle of Jonesboro; three children, Terry (Rhonda) Bittle, Greg (Janice) Bittle, and Pamela (Duane) Bierstedt all of Jonesboro; eight grandchildren, Tanya (Robert) Loveless, Tasha (Jerome) Faire, Tara (Joseph) Rowan, Trisha (Preston) Cobb, Brandon (Paula) Bierstedt, Kelli Bittle, Scott Bittle and Brooke Bittle; six great-grandchildren, Taylor Loveless, Trace Faire, Mariah Faire, Raegan Rowan, Luke Rowan, Presley Bierstedt and numerous other extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Cora Bittle; six brothers, Lloyd, Dennis, Lawrence, Leonard, Howard and Homer, and two sisters, Beulah Meritt McMahan and Mildred (Ervin) Emrick. Funeral Services for Walter "Doc" Bittle will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro with Rev. Jack Richardson & Rev. Gene Hart officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, November 19, 2010 from 5 until 8:00 pm. Interment will be in the Jonesboro Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Carrol P. Foster VFW Post #3455 and the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Team at the graveside. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lockard Chapel Baptist Church and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.