SERVICES will be held at
Hill and Son Funeral Home in
Appleton City, Missouri on
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at
10:00 a.m.

The MINISTERS will be
Pastor Tony Reynolds,
Reverend Larry Wheeler and
Reverend Bob Fenwick

VISITATION will be held at
Hill and Son Funeral Home preceding the service on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 between
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

INTERMENT will be in
Appleton City Cemetery,
Appleton City, Missouri

MEMORIALS are requested by the family in lieu of flowers to the
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or the
Appleton City Cemetery Association

Mildred Davis Bitner, 89, passed away December 21, 2011 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri. She was born August 28, 1922 to Martin and Alma (Wishard) Dorward on the home farm east of Appleton City, Missouri.

Mildred attended Center Grade School for six years, finishing grade school at Centennial Grade School after her parents moved to a farm in that area. She attended Appleton City High School graduating with the class of 1941.

On January 1, 1943 Mildred and Charles J. Davis were married and to this union two children Ronnie and Connie Sue were born. After the children were of school age Mildred worked as a nurse's aide for Dr. Ellett in the "old" and "new" hospitals in Appleton City. In 1960 she became a bus driver for State School #37 in Passaic transporting children from St. Clair, Henry and Bates counties. She loved working with the handicapped children as a teacher's aide and gave the best years of her life with love and concern to each one she came in contact with for fourteen years. Mildred was very busy, helping with their dairy cows, housework and along with her job outside the home.

She left the farm and moved to Appleton City when her husband of 35 years was killed due to a tractor and car accident. She cared for her mother and two brothers in her home. Later she worked again as a nurse's aide and then at an antique shop in Greenwood where she met and then married Hollis Bitner. They made their home in Lee's Summit but joined the Kansas City Wagoneers. The group traveled with their fifth wheels visiting many areas in the United States. They wintered in Mission, Texas at Oleander Acre Campground and actually lived there for five years before Hollis became ill. They moved back to Appleton City where Mildred has remained following Hollis' death.

Mildred had made quilts for each of her grandchildren and belonged to the quilting group at the Christian Church. She always was faithful member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Appleton City. She taught Sunday school class for many years and also taught at Countryside Estates after moving there. She had a love of gardening and had continued to share in that love by planting and caring for the roses outside her window at Countryside.

Preceding Mildred in death were her parents; her husbands, Charles J. Davis and Hollis Bitner; two brothers, Clarence Dorward and Merl Dorward.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her children Ronnie Davis and wife Kay of Rockville, Missouri and Connie and husband Howard Oehring of Greenfield, Missouri; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two nieces, Nettie Drummond and Janice Clark; one nephew Bill Dorward. Mildred devoted her life to family and friends. Her unconditional love will live forever through her family and friends.