Pauline Bittner

Polly was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She passed away peacefully on October 24, 2026, at the Inn at CoalRidge in Wadsworth, her home since 2025. She was deeply cherished by her family: Richard (Dick) Blaine Bittner, Terri Lynn Daly: Terence (Terry) Dale Bittner, Cheryl Ann Shaffer: Dr. Donald Frederick Bittner: Hope Marie Varian. Grandchildren: Jenna, Andy, Bill, Molly, Cory, Dr. Tyler, Liesl and Colin. Great Grandchildren: Audrey, Elizabeth, Griffin, Braden, Beau, George, Ezekiel, Conrad, Lily, Cameron, Lincoln, Maxwell, Mary Kate, and August.

Polly was born February 14, 1932, in Wayne Co, Wooster, OH to William Ferdinand Straub and Minnie Mae Stewart Straub. Her family moved to Sterling then to Lodi where she grew up on a farm north of Lodi. During her youth she was active in Junior Leadership Club, Grange & Farm Bureau, Methodist Youth Fellowship, the Medina Co 4-H projects and clubs- a member for 11 years. She raised white-faced steers, had several Champions at the Medina Co Fair, that helped pay for college tuition. During those years she served on the Medina County Junior Fair Board and the Ohio State Junior Fair Board. One year she had a first-place food demonstration and the next year a first-place garment at the Ohio State Fair. In her senior year of high school, she was selected as one of two girls from the State of Ohio to attend National 4-H Club Congress in Washington DC – a week with top boys and girls attending from across the United States.

Polly graduated from The Ohio State University. In 1954 she married Bill Bittner in a traditional open church ceremony at Lodi Methodist Church. They were high school sweethearts. He graduated from Bowling Green State University one weekend; she graduated from The Ohio State University the following weekend, and they were married the next weekend. They then drove to Lawton, OK for Bill to join the Army and one month later she was at Seville High School to teach Physical Education and Home Economics. That year the Seville girls won the Girls Basketball County Championship. She was very proud of “her girls”. After one year of teaching, Polly joined Bill in WI, VA, & Colorado Springs where their first son, Dick, was born in the Army hospital.

While at Ohio State she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. Her granddaughter Liesl was an Alpha Chi, also. Other activities included Chaplain of the Installation Drill team for Grange traveling around the state in Jan & Feb to install new officers. She played on The Ohio State University girls basketball team traveling to Otterbein, Heidelburg, Ohio Wesleyan and other colleges. She had a segment of the OSU radio station at noon to cover topics for women and the home.

She became the District Elementary Library Media Coordinator for Cloverleaf schools after getting her Library /Media Degree at Kent State University in1972. Along with volunteers she developed and set up the 5 elementary libraries in Cloverleaf district until she retired in 1992 to have more time for gardening, golf, and grandchildren.

Her interests included family, travel, cards, and reading. She and Bill visited all 50 states, several of the Presidential Libraries, the Caribbean cruises with OSU and BSGU travel groups, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. One European trip included the Oberammergau Passion Play performance. She played several card games with groups, but Bridge was her passion! She enjoyed being hostess for many friends and family gatherings, including political and personal fund-raisers under the yellow and white tent.

Throughout her life, she was an active leader in many organizations and charities. She was an active 50 year member of AAUW, Lizotte Reading Council, American Library Assoc, board member of Project LEARN, Cloverleaf Women's Club, organizer of Westfield Red Hat Society, LeRoy United Methodist Church Choir and Sunday School teacher and secretary, Palm Desert Community Church, College of the Desert Auxiliary, Westfield Country Club, Desert Falls CC, Fowler Chapter of DAR, Coachella Valley Chapter of DAR, Tools for Tomorrow, Docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum, Ohio State University President's Club, Ohio State University Buckeye Club, OSU Life Member Alumni Assoc.

She continued to be busy with activities and organizations in the community, county, state; but her family was the gems of her life. She dearly loved to share their lives. She will be greatly missed.

If desired, memorials may be sent to the LeRoy United Methodist Church, PO box 327, Westfield Center, OH 44251.

A Celebration of Life will be announced shortly.