Mary F. Bitikofer

Mary F. Bitikofer, age 98, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, February 7, 2000, following a full Christian life. She resided in the Sugarcreek area until moving to Strasburg in 1982, and to the Morning View Care Center in 1991. She was born May 20, 1901 in Holmes County to George and Malinda (Miller) Flinner. On December 8, 1921, she married Elmer B. Bitikofer, Sr., son of Nicholas and Carolina (Schnitzer) Bitikofer. He preceded her in death January 27, 1969. Prior to joining St. John United Church of Christ at Strasburg in 1985, Mary had been a member of the Trail Swiss Reformed Church and St. John’s United Church of Christ at Walnut Creek since 1937. She was a member of the Bethesda Rebekah Lodge of New Philadelphia, Garaway District Senior Citizens, Tuscarawas County Senior Citizens, and Sugarcreek First United Church of Christ Dorcas Circle. She was a member of several quilting groups and enjoyed working with crafts and traveling. A former employee of the Sugarcreek Food Processing Co., Nelson Miller Turkey Processing, Wayne Poultry Co., and the Belden Brick Co., she also did domestic work in the Sugarcreek area. Mary leaves behind a large family that loved and treasured her. Surviving are 101 direct living descendants and 15 step-descendants, including four daughters, Lorene Harper of Strasburg, Bernice Coffy of Leesville, Betty Stillwell of Arvada, Colorado and Viola Glidden of Lexington, N. Carolina; two sons and daughters in law, Elmer Jr. and Jessie Bitikofer of Sugarcreek and George and Mary L. Bitikofer of Bolivar; 24 grandchildren; two step grandchildren; 50 great grandchildren; five step great grandchildren; 21 great great grandchildren; eight step great great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Lola Miller of Walnut Creek; a sister in law, Evelyn Bitikofer of Dover; son in law John Newell of Leesville; and daughter in law Mary Hensel Bitikofer Malcuit of Strasburg. She was preceded in death by a son, Eugene; a daughter, Marilyn Newell; an infant grandson, Jerry Coffy; sons in law, Ralph Harper, Wells Coffy, James Stillwell, and Bill Glidden; two sisters, Carrie Hill and Elva Hershberger; and three brothers, Albert, Paul, and Lester. Funeral Services will be held Friday, Feb. 11, 2000 at 10:30 AM in the St. John United Church of Christ at Strasburg with Rev. Dana Kierstead officiating. Interment will be in the Grandview Union Cemetery at Strasburg. Friends may call on Thursday from 5-8 PM at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home in Dover and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Those unable to attend may sign the on-line register book for Mary by visiting the “on-line obituaries” link on our website at www.tolandherzig.com The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Rainbow Connection of Tuscarawas County, P.O. Box 288, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 because of her love for children. Toland-Herzig, Dover 330 343-6132

Funeral Home:
Toland-Herzig Funeral Home
803 N. Wooster Ave
Dover, OH
US 44622