age 66
Retired Juniata Minister Dies in Auto Crash
The Rev. Melvin S. Bittner, 66. who retired as pastor from the Otterbein E.U.B. Church, Juniata, on June 1, died at 5.15 pm yesterday in the Altoona Hospital of injuries suffered in automobile accident on Route 220 in the Bellemead area at 1:55 pm. With him at the time was his wife, Mrs. Viola Himcs Bittner who suffered a possible fracture of the right arm, possible internal injuries and multiple abrasions and contusions. Her condition at the hospital is reported as fair today. Rev. Bittner died as the result of a fracture of the skull, state police report. An autopsy was performed this morning at the hospital, Deputy Coroner William T. Crawford reported.
The other vehicle involved in the accident was operated by James J. Fletcher, 22, of Duncansville, RD 1, who escaped injury. The accident occurred a mile and a half north of the city line at Greenwood, near the Beecher restaurant and archery range. Rev. Bittner was enroute to the city from his home in Drifting, Clearfleld County, to where he moved following his retirement. The Fletcher car, police report, was broken down while moving toward Altoona and stood partly on the highway. The operator reported the machine was on a slight grade and he was attempting from time to time as traffic permitted to let the machine drift back completely off the highway. The Bittner car struck the left rear of the Fletcher sedan with it's right front fender; both machines being extensively damaged. It is reported that the Bittner sedan rolled over on the highway after the collision and that both occupants were thrown out of the machine.
Damage to the vehicles was estimated at $500 to the Bittner car and $200 to the Fletcher car. State police and 'the coroner's office are continuing investigation of the accident today. Rev. and Mrs. Bittner occupied the automobile presented them by the congregation of the Otterbein U.E.B. Church at the time of Rev. Bittner's retirement last June. While they had established their home at Drifting, they made frequent return trips to Altoona because of family, friends and interests here.
Rev. Bittner was born at Garrett, Somerset County, on Feb. 14, 1893, a son of Samuel and Idabelle (Kretchman) Bittner, and was twice married. The first Mrs. Bittner was the former Savilla Romesberg, who died April 12, 1948. On July 9, 1949, he married Mrs. Viola Kime of
Juniata.
Surviving are his wife, six children, the Rev. Madison R. of Springfield, III., Groff S. of St. Charles, Mo., Melvin Jr. of Oceanside, Calif., Mrs. Jane Butler of Drifting, Mrs. Idabelle Kuhn of Johnstown and Mrs. Vivian Landis of Washington, D.C. Also surviving are three stepchildren, Mrs. Betty Mellnay of Juniata, Sharon and Elwood Kime of Detroit; 11 grandchildren and eight brothers and sisters, Lloyd, Clarence, Clayton, Elmer, Ralph, Mrs. Minnie Roch, Mrs. Elsie Bauermaster and Mrs. Ethel Romeberg, all of Somerset County.
Friends will be received at the Korns Funeral Home, Juniata, from 2 p.m. tomorrow until 11 a.m. Monday and thereafter at the church he formerly served. Officiating at the funeral will be a number of former associates in the ministry, the Revs. Clyde W. Dietrich, Harry L. McFarland, Harold Burgess, W.G. Fulton and D.W. Coughenour.
Rev. Bittner concluded a 44-vear career in the ministry when he retired but had planned to continue evangelistic work and Bible teaching in his added leisure. He had been at the Otterbein Church from 1928. He had been active also in city and county church affairs, serving as president of the Altoona-Blair County Ministerial Association, with the Door of Hope House of Grace and Juniata Bible Conference and the Altoona Rescue Mission. He decided in 1915 to enter the ministry after teaching school for two years, and attended Otterbein and Wabash Colleges, the United Seminary and Moody Bible Institute. He was ordained in Anderson,Ind.,in August,1921,and came to the Juniata Church from Woodland.
Altoona Mirror 11/20/1959
Retired Juniata Minister Dies in Auto Crash
The Rev. Melvin S. Bittner, 66. who retired as pastor from the Otterbein E.U.B. Church, Juniata, on June 1, died at 5.15 pm yesterday in the Altoona Hospital of injuries suffered in automobile accident on Route 220 in the Bellemead area at 1:55 pm. With him at the time was his wife, Mrs. Viola Himcs Bittner who suffered a possible fracture of the right arm, possible internal injuries and multiple abrasions and contusions. Her condition at the hospital is reported as fair today. Rev. Bittner died as the result of a fracture of the skull, state police report. An autopsy was performed this morning at the hospital, Deputy Coroner William T. Crawford reported.
The other vehicle involved in the accident was operated by James J. Fletcher, 22, of Duncansville, RD 1, who escaped injury. The accident occurred a mile and a half north of the city line at Greenwood, near the Beecher restaurant and archery range. Rev. Bittner was enroute to the city from his home in Drifting, Clearfleld County, to where he moved following his retirement. The Fletcher car, police report, was broken down while moving toward Altoona and stood partly on the highway. The operator reported the machine was on a slight grade and he was attempting from time to time as traffic permitted to let the machine drift back completely off the highway. The Bittner car struck the left rear of the Fletcher sedan with it's right front fender; both machines being extensively damaged. It is reported that the Bittner sedan rolled over on the highway after the collision and that both occupants were thrown out of the machine.
Damage to the vehicles was estimated at $500 to the Bittner car and $200 to the Fletcher car. State police and 'the coroner's office are continuing investigation of the accident today. Rev. and Mrs. Bittner occupied the automobile presented them by the congregation of the Otterbein U.E.B. Church at the time of Rev. Bittner's retirement last June. While they had established their home at Drifting, they made frequent return trips to Altoona because of family, friends and interests here.
Rev. Bittner was born at Garrett, Somerset County, on Feb. 14, 1893, a son of Samuel and Idabelle (Kretchman) Bittner, and was twice married. The first Mrs. Bittner was the former Savilla Romesberg, who died April 12, 1948. On July 9, 1949, he married Mrs. Viola Kime of
Juniata.
Surviving are his wife, six children, the Rev. Madison R. of Springfield, III., Groff S. of St. Charles, Mo., Melvin Jr. of Oceanside, Calif., Mrs. Jane Butler of Drifting, Mrs. Idabelle Kuhn of Johnstown and Mrs. Vivian Landis of Washington, D.C. Also surviving are three stepchildren, Mrs. Betty Mellnay of Juniata, Sharon and Elwood Kime of Detroit; 11 grandchildren and eight brothers and sisters, Lloyd, Clarence, Clayton, Elmer, Ralph, Mrs. Minnie Roch, Mrs. Elsie Bauermaster and Mrs. Ethel Romeberg, all of Somerset County.
Friends will be received at the Korns Funeral Home, Juniata, from 2 p.m. tomorrow until 11 a.m. Monday and thereafter at the church he formerly served. Officiating at the funeral will be a number of former associates in the ministry, the Revs. Clyde W. Dietrich, Harry L. McFarland, Harold Burgess, W.G. Fulton and D.W. Coughenour.
Rev. Bittner concluded a 44-vear career in the ministry when he retired but had planned to continue evangelistic work and Bible teaching in his added leisure. He had been at the Otterbein Church from 1928. He had been active also in city and county church affairs, serving as president of the Altoona-Blair County Ministerial Association, with the Door of Hope House of Grace and Juniata Bible Conference and the Altoona Rescue Mission. He decided in 1915 to enter the ministry after teaching school for two years, and attended Otterbein and Wabash Colleges, the United Seminary and Moody Bible Institute. He was ordained in Anderson,Ind.,in August,1921,and came to the Juniata Church from Woodland.
Altoona Mirror 11/20/1959
age 66
Retired Juniata Minister Dies in Auto Crash
The Rev. Melvin S. Bittner, 66. who retired as pastor from the Otterbein E.U.B. Church, Juniata, on June 1, died at 5.15 pm yesterday in the Altoona Hospital of injuries suffered in automobile accident on Route 220 in the Bellemead area at 1:55 pm. With him at the time was his wife, Mrs. Viola Himcs Bittner who suffered a possible fracture of the right arm, possible internal injuries and multiple abrasions and contusions. Her condition at the hospital is reported as fair today. Rev. Bittner died as the result of a fracture of the skull, state police report. An autopsy was performed this morning at the hospital, Deputy Coroner William T. Crawford reported.
The other vehicle involved in the accident was operated by James J. Fletcher, 22, of Duncansville, RD 1, who escaped injury. The accident occurred a mile and a half north of the city line at Greenwood, near the Beecher restaurant and archery range. Rev. Bittner was enroute to the city from his home in Drifting, Clearfleld County, to where he moved following his retirement. The Fletcher car, police report, was broken down while moving toward Altoona and stood partly on the highway. The operator reported the machine was on a slight grade and he was attempting from time to time as traffic permitted to let the machine drift back completely off the highway. The Bittner car struck the left rear of the Fletcher sedan with it's right front fender; both machines being extensively damaged. It is reported that the Bittner sedan rolled over on the highway after the collision and that both occupants were thrown out of the machine.
Damage to the vehicles was estimated at $500 to the Bittner car and $200 to the Fletcher car. State police and 'the coroner's office are continuing investigation of the accident today. Rev. and Mrs. Bittner occupied the automobile presented them by the congregation of the Otterbein U.E.B. Church at the time of Rev. Bittner's retirement last June. While they had established their home at Drifting, they made frequent return trips to Altoona because of family, friends and interests here.
Rev. Bittner was born at Garrett, Somerset County, on Feb. 14, 1893, a son of Samuel and Idabelle (Kretchman) Bittner, and was twice married. The first Mrs. Bittner was the former Savilla Romesberg, who died April 12, 1948. On July 9, 1949, he married Mrs. Viola Kime of
Juniata.
Surviving are his wife, six children, the Rev. Madison R. of Springfield, III., Groff S. of St. Charles, Mo., Melvin Jr. of Oceanside, Calif., Mrs. Jane Butler of Drifting, Mrs. Idabelle Kuhn of Johnstown and Mrs. Vivian Landis of Washington, D.C. Also surviving are three stepchildren, Mrs. Betty Mellnay of Juniata, Sharon and Elwood Kime of Detroit; 11 grandchildren and eight brothers and sisters, Lloyd, Clarence, Clayton, Elmer, Ralph, Mrs. Minnie Roch, Mrs. Elsie Bauermaster and Mrs. Ethel Romeberg, all of Somerset County.
Friends will be received at the Korns Funeral Home, Juniata, from 2 p.m. tomorrow until 11 a.m. Monday and thereafter at the church he formerly served. Officiating at the funeral will be a number of former associates in the ministry, the Revs. Clyde W. Dietrich, Harry L. McFarland, Harold Burgess, W.G. Fulton and D.W. Coughenour.
Rev. Bittner concluded a 44-vear career in the ministry when he retired but had planned to continue evangelistic work and Bible teaching in his added leisure. He had been at the Otterbein Church from 1928. He had been active also in city and county church affairs, serving as president of the Altoona-Blair County Ministerial Association, with the Door of Hope House of Grace and Juniata Bible Conference and the Altoona Rescue Mission. He decided in 1915 to enter the ministry after teaching school for two years, and attended Otterbein and Wabash Colleges, the United Seminary and Moody Bible Institute. He was ordained in Anderson,Ind.,in August,1921,and came to the Juniata Church from Woodland.
Altoona Mirror 11/20/1959
Retired Juniata Minister Dies in Auto Crash
The Rev. Melvin S. Bittner, 66. who retired as pastor from the Otterbein E.U.B. Church, Juniata, on June 1, died at 5.15 pm yesterday in the Altoona Hospital of injuries suffered in automobile accident on Route 220 in the Bellemead area at 1:55 pm. With him at the time was his wife, Mrs. Viola Himcs Bittner who suffered a possible fracture of the right arm, possible internal injuries and multiple abrasions and contusions. Her condition at the hospital is reported as fair today. Rev. Bittner died as the result of a fracture of the skull, state police report. An autopsy was performed this morning at the hospital, Deputy Coroner William T. Crawford reported.
The other vehicle involved in the accident was operated by James J. Fletcher, 22, of Duncansville, RD 1, who escaped injury. The accident occurred a mile and a half north of the city line at Greenwood, near the Beecher restaurant and archery range. Rev. Bittner was enroute to the city from his home in Drifting, Clearfleld County, to where he moved following his retirement. The Fletcher car, police report, was broken down while moving toward Altoona and stood partly on the highway. The operator reported the machine was on a slight grade and he was attempting from time to time as traffic permitted to let the machine drift back completely off the highway. The Bittner car struck the left rear of the Fletcher sedan with it's right front fender; both machines being extensively damaged. It is reported that the Bittner sedan rolled over on the highway after the collision and that both occupants were thrown out of the machine.
Damage to the vehicles was estimated at $500 to the Bittner car and $200 to the Fletcher car. State police and 'the coroner's office are continuing investigation of the accident today. Rev. and Mrs. Bittner occupied the automobile presented them by the congregation of the Otterbein U.E.B. Church at the time of Rev. Bittner's retirement last June. While they had established their home at Drifting, they made frequent return trips to Altoona because of family, friends and interests here.
Rev. Bittner was born at Garrett, Somerset County, on Feb. 14, 1893, a son of Samuel and Idabelle (Kretchman) Bittner, and was twice married. The first Mrs. Bittner was the former Savilla Romesberg, who died April 12, 1948. On July 9, 1949, he married Mrs. Viola Kime of
Juniata.
Surviving are his wife, six children, the Rev. Madison R. of Springfield, III., Groff S. of St. Charles, Mo., Melvin Jr. of Oceanside, Calif., Mrs. Jane Butler of Drifting, Mrs. Idabelle Kuhn of Johnstown and Mrs. Vivian Landis of Washington, D.C. Also surviving are three stepchildren, Mrs. Betty Mellnay of Juniata, Sharon and Elwood Kime of Detroit; 11 grandchildren and eight brothers and sisters, Lloyd, Clarence, Clayton, Elmer, Ralph, Mrs. Minnie Roch, Mrs. Elsie Bauermaster and Mrs. Ethel Romeberg, all of Somerset County.
Friends will be received at the Korns Funeral Home, Juniata, from 2 p.m. tomorrow until 11 a.m. Monday and thereafter at the church he formerly served. Officiating at the funeral will be a number of former associates in the ministry, the Revs. Clyde W. Dietrich, Harry L. McFarland, Harold Burgess, W.G. Fulton and D.W. Coughenour.
Rev. Bittner concluded a 44-vear career in the ministry when he retired but had planned to continue evangelistic work and Bible teaching in his added leisure. He had been at the Otterbein Church from 1928. He had been active also in city and county church affairs, serving as president of the Altoona-Blair County Ministerial Association, with the Door of Hope House of Grace and Juniata Bible Conference and the Altoona Rescue Mission. He decided in 1915 to enter the ministry after teaching school for two years, and attended Otterbein and Wabash Colleges, the United Seminary and Moody Bible Institute. He was ordained in Anderson,Ind.,in August,1921,and came to the Juniata Church from Woodland.
Altoona Mirror 11/20/1959
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