Bitikofer, Clifford Lawrence (1928-2003)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2003 Apr 8 p. 2; 2003 Apr 9 p. 2

Birth date: 1928

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Apr 21 p. 11

CLIFFORD BITIKOFER

Clifford Lawrence Bitikofer, 74, of Hesston, Kan., died April 8, 2003, at Schowalter Villa after a bout with cancer. He was born Dec. 6, 1928, to Fred and Martha (Loucks) Bitikofer at rural Canton.

He grew up on a farm and attended Hesston Academy and one year at Hesston College. He served with Mennonite Central Committee as a truck driver out of Akron, Pa., for two years. He then was in 1-W alternative service for two years at Topeka State Hospital. He was baptized and joined Spring Valley Mennonite Church of Canton.

He married Elizabeth Bartel on July 28, 1955, in Meade.

He worked as a cabinet maker at Gerden Industries in Newton and at Skyline Factory in Halstead for a few years, then as a carpenter for several contractors for more than 20 years. He was mill-room supervisor at Kropf Lumber in Hesston for 14 years. After retirement he worked at Cross Wind Conference Center as a groundskeeper and volunteered at Dyck Arboretum.

A member of Hesston Inter-Mennonite Church, he was a devoted Christian who enjoyed serving. He volunteered yearly at the Kansas MCC relief sale and often assisted through Mennonite Disaster Service, serving several years on the executive committee of Kansas MDS.

He enjoyed working outdoors and respected God's creation. He liked woodworking, yard work, metal-working and creating things. He loved music, played a harmonica and sang in the Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus. He was a loyal husband and dedicated father.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; four children, Kathleen Neff and her husband, Dana, of North Newton, Lynette Stoeppler and her husband, Andy, of Shafter, Calif., Kristine Griffioen and her husband, Joe, of Belmond, Iowa, and Mervin and his wife, Cathy, of Manhattan; four brothers, Leroy of Canton, and Ralph, Allen and Henry, all of Hess-ton; a sister, Stella Sommerfeld of Hesston; and 16 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Eugene Ray; three brothers, Franklin, Melvin and Paul; and a sister, Mabel.

Funeral services were held at Hesston Inter-Mennonite Church. Burial was in Spring Valley Mennonite Church Cemetery.