Memorial
Frank Joseph Bittner, 75, of Cedar Rapids died Thursday September 18, 2014 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a courageous battle with liver cancer. Per Frank’s request, there will be no service or visitation. Inurnment in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his sister Sally Wilkinson of Marion; four nephews Jeff (Lisa) Wilkinson of Ramsey, MN. Scott (Sue) Wilkinson of Urbandale, Brian (Kelly) Wilkinson of Rogers, Arkansas, and Dan (Michelle) Wilkinson of Iowa City.
Although Frank was never married, he had very special people in his life that he considered his family; Cyndi (Pat) Buehner and their children Ashley and Drew; Sandy Boyer; Barry and Gilda Boyer and their children Erik and Lauren; and Bret (Michele) Boyer and their children Greg Heyl, Tazia Heyl-Gilbert and Jake Heusing. He was preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Dorothy Bittner, step-mother Julia Bittner, sister Guyann Bittner, all of Cedar Rapids, brother-in-law Robert Wilkinson of Marion and his great friend and brother in life, James Boyer.
Frank graduated from Solon High School in 1957 and enlisted in the Army Reserves. Moving to Cedar Rapids, he later became proprietor of the Red Lion Lounge. He also worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Marion as a rural route mail carrier. After retiring from the U.S.P.S., he worked for Conveyer Engineering and Manufacturing.
Frank was a sports enthusiast and a devoted long-suffering Cubs fan. He enjoyed watching the games and hanging out with friends at his favorite sports bar and grill. He was a hard-working man who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, like boating on the Cedar, picking morels, deer hunting and having a cold one while listening to the Cubs games on the radio.
Frank will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. “The family would like to thank the staff at St. Luke’s Hospice for the compassionate care Frank received in his last days”.
Memorial donations may be directed to the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, or Hospice of St. Lukes.