Barbara E. Bitz

Barbara E. (Caldwell) Bitz, 75, formerly of Whitfield, passed away July 7, 2022, at Phoebe Berks, Wernersville.

She was the loving wife of Kevin G. Bitz, with whom she just celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. They were married on June 13, 1970 at St James UCC in West Reading.

Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late John C. and Helen C. (Simpson) Caldwell.

Barbara was a graduate of West Reading High School in 1965 and Kutztown University in 1969, where she received her BS in Education and was top of her class.

Barbara was employed by the Wilson School District (Whitfield and Lincoln Park Elementary Schools) as a secretary for 24 years, retiring in 2012.

Her family, faith and community were most important to her. Barbara loved people, never had a bad thing to say about anyone and would always volunteer when asked to help. She was truly loved by many. For the past 40 years, she was an active member of St John's Reformed Church, Sinking Spring, serving as a Deacon and Elder. Most notably, Barbara was a member of the church's senior choir for over 35 years.

Barbara's love of the arts stretched further to playing the piano as well as frequently attending shows on Broadway, at the Fulton Opera House, the Reading Civic Opera, Wilson High School musicals and many other performances and concerts. Barbara enjoyed traveling with her family, especially to the Jersey Shore, Colonial Williamsburg, Walt Disney World, and on various bus trips around the country.

Her proudest moments involved her family and she would attend every event in which her children and grandchildren participated.

Barbara loved to read and journal. She looked forward to getting the newest copy of "Daily Guideposts" every year and would read a new passage first thing each morning.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two sons, Jeremy S. Bitz, husband of Jennifer Markham, New York City, and Andrew B., husband of Jennifer Bitz, Mechanicsburg; two brothers, Thomas C., husband of Mary Caldwell, Winston-Salem, NC, and Kenneth G. Caldwell, Mountville. Barbara also has three grandchildren: Madeline Joan Bitz, Austin John Bitz, and Katherine Helen Bitz.

Services will be held Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 11 a.m. at St John's Reformed Church, 4001 W. Penn Ave, Reading, PA 19608. Entombment will be private. Friends may call Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the church. Webcast will be available through the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or St John's Reformed Church at the above address. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.