James Bittner Obituary

James Glenn Bittner, 85, of Sabillasville, MD, died Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Sabillasville. Jim was born March 13, 1940, at home in Lantz (now Sabillasville), to the late Harold A. and Helen E. (Miller) Bittner. He attended church two weeks later and was passed around to all the ladies, as they reminded him later in life. He married Cheryl Burrier in 1965 and were married until her death in 2004.

Jim attended the four-room elementary school in Sabillasville and graduated from Thurmont High School in 1958. During high school, he enjoyed playing trumpet in the THS band as well as first trumpet in the Keystone Band in Greencastle, PA. He attended DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, IL for two years, receiving an associate degree in electronics technology. Jim then worked at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, NJ, Frederick Electronics, and Western Union in Frederick where he retired after 26 years. Jim was an associate broker for J&B Real Estate from the 1980s until the time of his passing.

A community-spirited man, Jim was a lifelong member of St. John's Reformed Church in Sabillasville, serving on the Consistory for many years. He was an avid fundraiser for major and minor projects. He loved helping others. He was a member of the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock for many years where he sponsored many young boys, teaching fishing and conservation skills. He was a member of Blue Ridge Sportsmen's Association, South Mountain Rod & Gun Club, and American Legion Post 239 SAL, where he was chaplain for 15 years and held various other offices.

Jim enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and fishing but most of all, he enjoyed his family. Pappy Jim supported his children, grandchildren, and now his great-grandchildren (and other kids) at school, church, and other events.

Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Aaron G. Bittner and wife, Linda (Atchison), Winchester, NH, a daughter and son-in-law, Stacie K. (Bittner) Massett and husband, Matthew, Sabillasville; sisters, Alice (Bittner) McCleaf Waynesboro, PA, Joan (Bittner) Fry, Sabillasville, sister-in-law, Mary Ellen (Lawyer) Bittner of Thurmont, MD, and Jim's devoted friend, Peggy Elgin, Rocky Ridge, MD.

Grandchildren who survive are Katie (Bittner) and husband, Adam Clark, Andover, MA, Calvin Bittner, Hartford, CT, Samuel and wife, Sydney (Robertson) Bittner, Keene, NH, and Anna (Bittner) and husband Benjamin Whyatt, Asheville, NC; Cheryl Bittner and partner, Daniel Reall, Sabillasville, Michael and wife Lindsey (Short) Sinclair, Sabillasville, Christopher Maichle, USAF in Utah, and Robert Maichle, Frederick, MD; surviving great-grandchildren are Isaac, Lillian, and George and many nieces and nephews. Countless wonderful friends also survive.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Harold A. Bittner; his wife, Cheryl R. (Burrier) Bittner, a sister, Barbara A. (Bittner) Abraham, a brother, H. Richard Bittner, and a cousin, C. William (Bill) Messner who resided with the Bittner family, and brothers-in law, Donald G. McCleaf, and Robert W. Abraham, Sr. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Reformed Church, P.O. Box 137, Sabillasville, MD 21780, or to the Cascade American Legion Post 239, 14418 McAfee Road, Cascade, MD 21719 for the Auxiliary's scholarship fund which Jim and Cheryl founded, or WellSpan Adams Cancer Center, 40 V-Twin Drive, Ste. 204, Gettysburg, PA 17325 for the snack fund which Jim and Stacie initiated.

Friends will be received from 3 pm - 8 pm with doors opening at 12 pm on June 26th at J.L. Davis Funeral Home, 12525 Bradbury Avenue, Smithsburg, MD. Funeral services will be held on June 27th at 11 am at St. John's Reformed Church in Sabillasville with Jim's friend and pastor, Rev. Carl Fulmor officiating, and Warren Suker, American Legion Chaplain offering a eulogy.

Online Condolences can be offered at www.jldavisfh.com. James Bittner