ELEANOR L. BITTNER, 91, of Street, MD, died on Friday evening, July 21, 2023, in her home. She was the beloved wife of the late John (Johnny) Christian Bittner who passed away in September 2015.

Born on May 23, 1932, in Baltimore, MD, Ellie was one of two daughters of the late Eugene Levering Thompson and the late Edna Elizabeth (Klehm) Thompson. As a child, Ellie lived in a loving home on Shirey Avenue in Baltimore, with her grandparents, parents, aunt, and sister. Lauraville Methodist Church, with Sunday School classes and church services as well as Methodist Youth Fellowship and Girl Scout activities, served as a center of her life. Playing with neighborhood friends, listening to evening radio, and playing games with the family also filled her time. Ellie enjoyed listening to her mother reading aloud which led to a lifelong love of reading. Art classes and visits to the Baltimore Museum of Art in Wyman Park developed Ellie's artistic talents and, when older, she worked independently for professional photographers colorizing black and white photos with special transparent oil paint. Ellie attended Garrett Heights Elementary School and Hamilton Junior High School; transferred to Clifton Junior High School, which offered the Carnegie Art course; and graduated in 1950 from Eastern High School in Baltimore.

During high school, Ellie met Johnny, the love of her life. Johnny won Ellie's heart by serenading her with his guitar. Engaged on Easter in 1951, Ellie and Johnny planned a whirlwind wedding after Johnny received his draft notice in September 1951. Married October 14, 1951, Ellie and Johnny honeymooned in New York City. In January 1952, the US Army deployed Johnny to California for basic training and Ellie followed him to California. In June 1952, the Army deployed Johnny to Germany and Ellie returned to the Thompson family home on Shirey Avenue. When Johnny returned from Germany, he and Ellie started their family, welcoming Elaine, Gail, Sandie, Tim, and Lance. In 1966, Ellie and Johnny bought their home in Street, Maryland, where they raised their young family and joined Emory United Methodist Church.

Once all the children entered school, Ellie returned to work. In 1971, Ellie found a job as a secretary in the main office of North Harford High School. During her tenure at NHHS, during which she earned a promotion to Head Secretary, Ellie enjoyed working with the NHHS teachers and students. Eventually, Ellie transferred from NHHS to a position in the Board of Education main office in Bel Air, Maryland, and later retired from her career with Harford County Public Schools in 1992.

Ellie, blessed with amazing artistic talent, created beautiful stained glass pieces, oil paintings, still life drawings, and wood carvings. She attended oil painting classes at Harford Community College and displayed her paintings at the HCC art shows. After retirement, the Highland Senior Center in Street, Maryland, became a meaningful part of Ellie's life where she shared her talents by teaching art and memoirs classes. Ellie formed dear friendships with other Highland Senior Center members with whom she enjoyed shopping, luncheons, and sightseeing excursions.

Ellie found hours of pleasure in the challenges of crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She looked forward to the arrival of the daily Baltimore Sun so she could read it cover to cover and complete the crossword puzzle. Over the years, she collected an impressive number of carousel horse figurines that she loved.

Always ready for an adventure, Ellie enjoyed traveling near and far – Lancaster, California, Paris, Wyoming, Outer Banks, Cape Cod, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, and Hawaii, to list just a few of her destinations. Ellie fulfilled one of her lifelong desires by climbing into the basket of a hot air balloon for a trip over Harford County pastures. Family vacations provided Ellie with memories that she cherished throughout her life.

Ellie's family members grieve her loss but take comfort knowing that Ellie and her devoted husband, Johnny, are together again. Ellie's survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, P. Elaine (Elaine) and Keith Jacobs; daughter, Gail Sharon Duncan; son and daughter-in-law, Timothy (Tim) John and Susan Bittner; as well as thirteen grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren. Those preceding Ellie in death include her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra (Sandie) Lynn and John Thomas (Jack) Duncan; son, Lance Duane Bittner; son-in-law, William (Bill) A. Duncan; and sister, Virginia May Thompson Rowley.

Friends may gather at Emory United Methodist Church, 911 Cherry Hill Road, Street, Maryland, on Thursday, July 27, 2023, for visitation beginning at 11:00 AM. The celebration of life, officiated by Pastor Ryan Wiggins, begins at 12:30 PM. Ellie will be laid to rest next to her loving husband in the adjoining church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, friends may consider donations to Emory United Methodist Church in Ellie's memory.