Ernest C. Bittner, Jr., 81, died May 11, 2009 at Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born January 25, 1928 at Olmitz, Kansas, the son of Ernest C. and Katie (Springer) Bittner. He married Clara Kline April 4, 1953 at Raton, New Mexico. A resident of Hoisington, Kansas, since 1961, Mr. Bittner was a retired heavy equipment operator for Kansas Brick and Tile, Hoisington, retiring in 1998 after thirty-five years of service. He was a United States Army veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Bittner was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 286, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428, all of Hoisington. Survivors include his wife, Clara Bittner, Hoisington, Kansas; one son, Ernest F. Bittner and wife, Kimberly, Overland Park, Kansas; two daughters: Debra Chubb and husband, Scott, Hoisington, Kansas; and Theresa Smith and husband, Todd, Great Bend, Kansas; one sister, Wanda Turner, Scott City, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Brandi Apley, Austin Smith, Hope Chubb, Tallan Smith, Aryiah Smith, Jacob Bittner, and Jadon Bittner; and one great-grandchild, Slayde Apley. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009 at Concordia Lutheran Church. Burial with military honors by VFW Post 7428 and American Legion Post 286 will be at Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2009 and from 9:00 a.m. to service time, Thursday, May 14, 2009 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home.