Obituary for James H. "Jim" Bittinger
Kingsford-James H. Bittinger, 82, of Kingsford, Mich., passed away Thursday, August 20, 2020, at Bellin Hospital, Green Bay, Wis.
He was born February 6, 1938, in Hamilton, Ohio, son of the late Herbert and Mae (Beck) Bittinger. Jim grew up in Ohio and received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University. He married Joan Miller on August 20, 1960 in Columbus, Ohio. They were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary before he passed away.
Jim spent his entire career working as an engineer in the paper industry at numerous paper mills. He retired in 1992 from the Niagara Paper Mill where he was Director of Engineering and Maintenance. For the last 27 years Jim has worked seven days per week throughout the ski season at the Pine Mountain Sport Shop which he and Joanie owned and operated since the early 80’s. The shop continues to operate today by his son John and his wife Betsy, although Jim was still there this past season every day. It is estimated Jim has mounted over 15,000 pairs of skis for multiple generations of families. Jim was the leader of the sport shop demo ski team which included a group of very close friends who made a point to enjoy many cocktails together while on trips to test the new equipment. Jim always considered the ski community his second family.
During the summers, Jim was an avid golfer and a member of Pine Grove Country Club since 1976. His house he designed and built is located on the 17th tee box. As with the ski shop, he became close friends with many of his playing partners and coordinated the Tuesday golf group for many years which was very special to him. He finally got his hole in one a few years ago after almost 70 years of golf. Another love in summer was the annual houseboat fishing trips on Lake of the Woods with his family and friends. Despite all his activities, he still made time to attend countless sporting events for his kids and grandchildren which was his first and most important priority in life.
Jim was one of the two original founding members of SAY Northern Soccer League in the local area which has grown to over 1,400 kids. He was very proud of how soccer has evolved in our community and that he had a major impact in the development.
He was a member of St. Mary Queen of Peace Church, Kingsford.
Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Joanie, Kingsford; three sons, Jim (Carol) Bittinger Jr., Duluth, Minn., Andy (Denise) Bittinger, Birmingham, Mich. and John (Betsy) Bittinger, Iron Mountain; two sisters, Virginia (John) Schlensker and Linda (Bill) Tettenhorst, both of Hamilton, Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Patsy (Bob) Bettendorf, Des Moines, Iowa and Bebe (John) Finn, Columbus, Ohio; six grandchildren, Sara (Matt) Marciniak, Patrick Bittinger, Lauren Bittinger, Erica Bittinger, Brooke Bittinger and Megan Bittinger; two great-grandchildren, Josephine and Finley Marciniak;
In accordance with Jim’s wishes, a private family service will be held at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Kingsford. Rev. Fr. Michael Woempner will officiate.
Memorials can be made to the family and all proceeds will be used to support local skiing in the area including the Moving Mountains Adaptive Ski Program and the Local Ski Race Team. Please send c/o The Bittinger Family, 1120 Iron Mountain Street, Iron Mountain, MI., 49801
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Fuch’s and the entire staff at Bellin in Iron Mountain and Green Bay as well as Unity Hospice, Green Bay.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Jim’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Jim’s legacy of life.
He was born February 6, 1938, in Hamilton, Ohio, son of the late Herbert and Mae (Beck) Bittinger. Jim grew up in Ohio and received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University. He married Joan Miller on August 20, 1960 in Columbus, Ohio. They were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary before he passed away.
Jim spent his entire career working as an engineer in the paper industry at numerous paper mills. He retired in 1992 from the Niagara Paper Mill where he was Director of Engineering and Maintenance. For the last 27 years Jim has worked seven days per week throughout the ski season at the Pine Mountain Sport Shop which he and Joanie owned and operated since the early 80’s. The shop continues to operate today by his son John and his wife Betsy, although Jim was still there this past season every day. It is estimated Jim has mounted over 15,000 pairs of skis for multiple generations of families. Jim was the leader of the sport shop demo ski team which included a group of very close friends who made a point to enjoy many cocktails together while on trips to test the new equipment. Jim always considered the ski community his second family.
During the summers, Jim was an avid golfer and a member of Pine Grove Country Club since 1976. His house he designed and built is located on the 17th tee box. As with the ski shop, he became close friends with many of his playing partners and coordinated the Tuesday golf group for many years which was very special to him. He finally got his hole in one a few years ago after almost 70 years of golf. Another love in summer was the annual houseboat fishing trips on Lake of the Woods with his family and friends. Despite all his activities, he still made time to attend countless sporting events for his kids and grandchildren which was his first and most important priority in life.
Jim was one of the two original founding members of SAY Northern Soccer League in the local area which has grown to over 1,400 kids. He was very proud of how soccer has evolved in our community and that he had a major impact in the development.
He was a member of St. Mary Queen of Peace Church, Kingsford.
Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Joanie, Kingsford; three sons, Jim (Carol) Bittinger Jr., Duluth, Minn., Andy (Denise) Bittinger, Birmingham, Mich. and John (Betsy) Bittinger, Iron Mountain; two sisters, Virginia (John) Schlensker and Linda (Bill) Tettenhorst, both of Hamilton, Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Patsy (Bob) Bettendorf, Des Moines, Iowa and Bebe (John) Finn, Columbus, Ohio; six grandchildren, Sara (Matt) Marciniak, Patrick Bittinger, Lauren Bittinger, Erica Bittinger, Brooke Bittinger and Megan Bittinger; two great-grandchildren, Josephine and Finley Marciniak;
In accordance with Jim’s wishes, a private family service will be held at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Kingsford. Rev. Fr. Michael Woempner will officiate.
Memorials can be made to the family and all proceeds will be used to support local skiing in the area including the Moving Mountains Adaptive Ski Program and the Local Ski Race Team. Please send c/o The Bittinger Family, 1120 Iron Mountain Street, Iron Mountain, MI., 49801
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Fuch’s and the entire staff at Bellin in Iron Mountain and Green Bay as well as Unity Hospice, Green Bay.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Jim’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Jim’s legacy of life.