Thomas C. Bitner

Thomas C. Bitner, 86, of the Highlands at Wyomissing, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026, after a brief stay at the Reading Hospital in West Reading.

Tom was the husband of Margaret Jane (Spatz) Bitner to whom he was married for 35 wonderful years. They were married on October 18, 1991. Born on October 24, 1939 in Reading, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Edgar A. and Evelyn C. (Reber) Bitner. He was predeceased by his sister Carol A. Bitner.

Tom was a 1957 graduate of Muhlenberg High School and a 1979 graduate of Albright College where he received a bachelor’s degree in physics.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Following his military service he was employed by Western Electric / AT&T, retiring after 33 years as a Senior Engineer.

Tom’s life-long passion was drumming. He performed with the West Reading Police Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, the United States Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps, the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Reading Buccaneers Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps. He accumulated numerous drumming-related awards, instructed the drum lines of local bands and drum corps, and served as a percussion judge for DCA and DCI.

Tom was a member of Bausman Memorial United Church of Christ, Wyomissing, where he served on the consistory and property committee, and sang in the choir. He was very active in Scouting as a youth, and later as an adult with Troop 155 of Tuckerton, the Shikellamy District, and the Hawk Mountain Council. Tom was an avid outdoorsman often found camping, cycling, hunting, and fishing; his enthusiasm for backpacking earned him a call-out in The Muhlenberg Story. He was an accomplished wood craftsman, taught computer programming at Penn State University, and actively participated in Torch Club and the Literacy Council.

In addition to his wife Tom is survived by his children Christopher A. of Syracuse, NY, and Carol E. Bitner (Peter Alvarez), Exeter Township; step-children R. Scott Zechman (Lee Ann Goldstock), Stroudsburg, Todd Zechman (Dr. Amy Beaton), Nantucket, and Amy E. Smedley (John), Wyomissing; grandchildren Gretchen Smith (Ben) and Jonathan Bitner; and step-grandchildren Kathryn (Dr. Courtney Curtis), Sean, Samantha, Zachary, Benjamin, and Abigail Zechman; and Margaret, Emily, and Jack Smedley.

Visitation will be held on Saturday July 25, 2026 at 10:30 am at Bausman Memorial United Church of Christ, 1064 Penn Avenue, Wyomissing, PA 19610. Services will follow at 11:30. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Bausman Memorial U.C.C. at the above address.

Kuhn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements; online condolences may be recorded at KuhnFuneralHomes.com.