Martha Rose Shaw Bitters, 88, of Athens, died peacefully at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital on January 3, 2016 after a brief illness. She was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio September 7, 1927 to Clint E and Rose Shaw.
In third grade, she met her future husband, Richard Lowell Bitters. After graduating High School, Martha worked at the Children’s Home in Lima, Ohio. She and “Dick” were married in 1947 and lived in Wapakoneta, Van Wert, and Columbus. In 1953, they returned to Athens, where Dick had previously graduated from Ohio University. He became the Director of the OU Fund and assistant to President John C. Baker. While on University business in December of 1960, Mr. Bitters was killed in an airline accident in New York City, leaving Martha widowed at age 33 with three children, ages 11, 9 and 8 months. At that time Martha and Dick were building their dream home. With the strength and will that characterized her, Martha had the house completed and she and her children moved in to her beloved hillside home in February of 1961, where she resided for 53 years.
When her youngest child started school, Martha began her education at Ohio University, graduating in 1971 with a BS in Education, and in 1973 earned an Education Media Specialist degree. Her teaching career was brief, but she was the Librarian at Alexander High School for 10 years. She then worked at the Athens County Public Libraries in Athens until her retirement at age 75. During those years, she and her daughter, Jennifer, owned and operated the University Shop, a women’s clothing store in uptown Athens.
Post retirement, Martha was actively involved in multiple Athens clubs and organizations, including the following: Downtown Kiwanis Club of Athens (past president), O’Bleness Hospital Board and Guild member, Friends of the Kennedy Museum (past president), First Presbyterian Church Session (Elder), The Tuesday Club (past secretary), PEO Sisterhood (past president), Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc. Board member, and Social Literary Club.
Martha was particularly fond of classical and Broadway music, traveling, which usually include historic sight and/or museums. In her later years, she enjoyed Elder Hostels with friends because of her love of education. Her other joys were reading and playing the piano. But she was most proud of her family, whom she entertained at most family gatherings and celebrations in her home.
Martha is survived by her children, Joel Aaron (Linda) Bitters, Joyce Allyson (Paul) Mullins, Jennifer Ann (Raymond) Strickmaker; as well as her grandchildren, Hilary (Aaron) Wright, Ian (Bethany) Mullins, Aaron (Meghan) Bitters, Colin Bitters, Zachary Strickmaker and Annica Strickmaker; and great granddaughters, Marley and Quinn Wright, Madeleine and Abigail Bitters and Layla Strickmaker. She is also survived by two sisters, Jane Rickert and Alma Lou Shaw.
Besides her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Richard L. Bitters; two sisters, Carmen Van Doren and Maxine Fantz; and a brother, James I. Shaw.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Athens, officiated by Rev. Robert Martin. Graveside service will be at Green lawn Cemetery in Wapakoneta, Ohio on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at noon. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Richard L. Bitters Memorial Scholarship at the Ohio University Fund, PO Box 869, Athens, Ohio 45701 or the Athens County Public Libraries at 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville, Ohio 45764. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
Special thank you to the caregivers at The Lindley Inn, O’ Bleness Memorial Hospital, and Athens Country Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc.
In third grade, she met her future husband, Richard Lowell Bitters. After graduating High School, Martha worked at the Children’s Home in Lima, Ohio. She and “Dick” were married in 1947 and lived in Wapakoneta, Van Wert, and Columbus. In 1953, they returned to Athens, where Dick had previously graduated from Ohio University. He became the Director of the OU Fund and assistant to President John C. Baker. While on University business in December of 1960, Mr. Bitters was killed in an airline accident in New York City, leaving Martha widowed at age 33 with three children, ages 11, 9 and 8 months. At that time Martha and Dick were building their dream home. With the strength and will that characterized her, Martha had the house completed and she and her children moved in to her beloved hillside home in February of 1961, where she resided for 53 years.
When her youngest child started school, Martha began her education at Ohio University, graduating in 1971 with a BS in Education, and in 1973 earned an Education Media Specialist degree. Her teaching career was brief, but she was the Librarian at Alexander High School for 10 years. She then worked at the Athens County Public Libraries in Athens until her retirement at age 75. During those years, she and her daughter, Jennifer, owned and operated the University Shop, a women’s clothing store in uptown Athens.
Post retirement, Martha was actively involved in multiple Athens clubs and organizations, including the following: Downtown Kiwanis Club of Athens (past president), O’Bleness Hospital Board and Guild member, Friends of the Kennedy Museum (past president), First Presbyterian Church Session (Elder), The Tuesday Club (past secretary), PEO Sisterhood (past president), Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc. Board member, and Social Literary Club.
Martha was particularly fond of classical and Broadway music, traveling, which usually include historic sight and/or museums. In her later years, she enjoyed Elder Hostels with friends because of her love of education. Her other joys were reading and playing the piano. But she was most proud of her family, whom she entertained at most family gatherings and celebrations in her home.
Martha is survived by her children, Joel Aaron (Linda) Bitters, Joyce Allyson (Paul) Mullins, Jennifer Ann (Raymond) Strickmaker; as well as her grandchildren, Hilary (Aaron) Wright, Ian (Bethany) Mullins, Aaron (Meghan) Bitters, Colin Bitters, Zachary Strickmaker and Annica Strickmaker; and great granddaughters, Marley and Quinn Wright, Madeleine and Abigail Bitters and Layla Strickmaker. She is also survived by two sisters, Jane Rickert and Alma Lou Shaw.
Besides her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Richard L. Bitters; two sisters, Carmen Van Doren and Maxine Fantz; and a brother, James I. Shaw.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Athens, officiated by Rev. Robert Martin. Graveside service will be at Green lawn Cemetery in Wapakoneta, Ohio on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at noon. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Richard L. Bitters Memorial Scholarship at the Ohio University Fund, PO Box 869, Athens, Ohio 45701 or the Athens County Public Libraries at 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville, Ohio 45764. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
Special thank you to the caregivers at The Lindley Inn, O’ Bleness Memorial Hospital, and Athens Country Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc.
Martha Rose Shaw Bitters, 88, of Athens, died peacefully at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital on January 3, 2016 after a brief illness. She was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio September 7, 1927 to Clint E and Rose Shaw.
In third grade, she met her future husband, Richard Lowell Bitters. After graduating High School, Martha worked at the Children’s Home in Lima, Ohio. She and “Dick” were married in 1947 and lived in Wapakoneta, Van Wert, and Columbus. In 1953, they returned to Athens, where Dick had previously graduated from Ohio University. He became the Director of the OU Fund and assistant to President John C. Baker. While on University business in December of 1960, Mr. Bitters was killed in an airline accident in New York City, leaving Martha widowed at age 33 with three children, ages 11, 9 and 8 months. At that time Martha and Dick were building their dream home. With the strength and will that characterized her, Martha had the house completed and she and her children moved in to her beloved hillside home in February of 1961, where she resided for 53 years.
When her youngest child started school, Martha began her education at Ohio University, graduating in 1971 with a BS in Education, and in 1973 earned an Education Media Specialist degree. Her teaching career was brief, but she was the Librarian at Alexander High School for 10 years. She then worked at the Athens County Public Libraries in Athens until her retirement at age 75. During those years, she and her daughter, Jennifer, owned and operated the University Shop, a women’s clothing store in uptown Athens.
Post retirement, Martha was actively involved in multiple Athens clubs and organizations, including the following: Downtown Kiwanis Club of Athens (past president), O’Bleness Hospital Board and Guild member, Friends of the Kennedy Museum (past president), First Presbyterian Church Session (Elder), The Tuesday Club (past secretary), PEO Sisterhood (past president), Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc. Board member, and Social Literary Club.
Martha was particularly fond of classical and Broadway music, traveling, which usually include historic sight and/or museums. In her later years, she enjoyed Elder Hostels with friends because of her love of education. Her other joys were reading and playing the piano. But she was most proud of her family, whom she entertained at most family gatherings and celebrations in her home.
Martha is survived by her children, Joel Aaron (Linda) Bitters, Joyce Allyson (Paul) Mullins, Jennifer Ann (Raymond) Strickmaker; as well as her grandchildren, Hilary (Aaron) Wright, Ian (Bethany) Mullins, Aaron (Meghan) Bitters, Colin Bitters, Zachary Strickmaker and Annica Strickmaker; and great granddaughters, Marley and Quinn Wright, Madeleine and Abigail Bitters and Layla Strickmaker. She is also survived by two sisters, Jane Rickert and Alma Lou Shaw.
Besides her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Richard L. Bitters; two sisters, Carmen Van Doren and Maxine Fantz; and a brother, James I. Shaw.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Athens, officiated by Rev. Robert Martin. Graveside service will be at Green lawn Cemetery in Wapakoneta, Ohio on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at noon. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Richard L. Bitters Memorial Scholarship at the Ohio University Fund, PO Box 869, Athens, Ohio 45701 or the Athens County Public Libraries at 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville, Ohio 45764. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
Special thank you to the caregivers at The Lindley Inn, O’ Bleness Memorial Hospital, and Athens Country Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc.
In third grade, she met her future husband, Richard Lowell Bitters. After graduating High School, Martha worked at the Children’s Home in Lima, Ohio. She and “Dick” were married in 1947 and lived in Wapakoneta, Van Wert, and Columbus. In 1953, they returned to Athens, where Dick had previously graduated from Ohio University. He became the Director of the OU Fund and assistant to President John C. Baker. While on University business in December of 1960, Mr. Bitters was killed in an airline accident in New York City, leaving Martha widowed at age 33 with three children, ages 11, 9 and 8 months. At that time Martha and Dick were building their dream home. With the strength and will that characterized her, Martha had the house completed and she and her children moved in to her beloved hillside home in February of 1961, where she resided for 53 years.
When her youngest child started school, Martha began her education at Ohio University, graduating in 1971 with a BS in Education, and in 1973 earned an Education Media Specialist degree. Her teaching career was brief, but she was the Librarian at Alexander High School for 10 years. She then worked at the Athens County Public Libraries in Athens until her retirement at age 75. During those years, she and her daughter, Jennifer, owned and operated the University Shop, a women’s clothing store in uptown Athens.
Post retirement, Martha was actively involved in multiple Athens clubs and organizations, including the following: Downtown Kiwanis Club of Athens (past president), O’Bleness Hospital Board and Guild member, Friends of the Kennedy Museum (past president), First Presbyterian Church Session (Elder), The Tuesday Club (past secretary), PEO Sisterhood (past president), Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc. Board member, and Social Literary Club.
Martha was particularly fond of classical and Broadway music, traveling, which usually include historic sight and/or museums. In her later years, she enjoyed Elder Hostels with friends because of her love of education. Her other joys were reading and playing the piano. But she was most proud of her family, whom she entertained at most family gatherings and celebrations in her home.
Martha is survived by her children, Joel Aaron (Linda) Bitters, Joyce Allyson (Paul) Mullins, Jennifer Ann (Raymond) Strickmaker; as well as her grandchildren, Hilary (Aaron) Wright, Ian (Bethany) Mullins, Aaron (Meghan) Bitters, Colin Bitters, Zachary Strickmaker and Annica Strickmaker; and great granddaughters, Marley and Quinn Wright, Madeleine and Abigail Bitters and Layla Strickmaker. She is also survived by two sisters, Jane Rickert and Alma Lou Shaw.
Besides her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Richard L. Bitters; two sisters, Carmen Van Doren and Maxine Fantz; and a brother, James I. Shaw.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Athens, officiated by Rev. Robert Martin. Graveside service will be at Green lawn Cemetery in Wapakoneta, Ohio on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at noon. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Richard L. Bitters Memorial Scholarship at the Ohio University Fund, PO Box 869, Athens, Ohio 45701 or the Athens County Public Libraries at 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville, Ohio 45764. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
Special thank you to the caregivers at The Lindley Inn, O’ Bleness Memorial Hospital, and Athens Country Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc.
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