Delores Jane Schwellensattl Bittle

Delores “Jane” Bittle (nee Schwellensattl), 84, born September 26, 1927, died peacefully on March 4, 2012, at her daughter’s home with her family present. She had been in declining health for several years.

Jane was the youngest of seven children born and raised on a farm in rural Belleville. She had a kind, caring soul and was always available if anyone needed help or a shoulder to lean on. She was strong-willed and independent with a spry sense of humor and had a very strong work ethic. Jane worked in retail for many years before retiring in 1981. She was also a skilled seamstress who designed many outfits and sewed several of her granddaughters’ prom dresses and dance costumes. As a masterful baker, Jane often used her delectable cookies in lieu of game chips when teaching her granddaughters the art of poker. She also especially enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters playing games and having tea parties and then continued that tradition with her great grandchildren. Jane religiously followed the Cardinals, rattled off stats like an announcer, and instilled her love for baseball into all her girls. Jane also loved soaking up the sunshine and often sported a golden suntan from her hours spent enjoying the outdoors. Often, she could be spotted strolling down the street chatting with her longtime friends and keeping watch on the neighborhood. In her later years, Jane avidly listened to a police scanner where she developed and often spoke of her utmost respect for Belleville’s officers. Our matriarch will be deeply missed.

Jane was the youngest of seven children born to Joseph and Mary nee Crannage, Schwellensattl. In addition to her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses, Joseph Schwellensattl Jr., William and Hazel Schwellensattl, Bernice and Melvin Backs, George and Virginia Schwellensattl, Fern and Harold Bittle, and Edward and Verna Schwellensattl. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Dr. Benjamin S. Arenas.

On August 9, 1947, she married Roy Bittle, who after an extended illness, died on November 4, 1961, leaving her to raise their young twin daughters. She is survived by daughters Jean Waeltz of Belleville and Joan (formerly Arenas) and her husband Robert Harvey of Lawrence, KS, three granddaughters – Dr. Kristy Waeltz and her husband Taylor Holland, Amy and Christopher Judd, and Allison Arenas (and her significant other Michael Urish). She is also survived by three great grandchildren: Orion, Caela, and Calista Judd.

One sister-in-law, Louise Schwellensattl of Rochester, New York, survives Jane. She is also survived by 12 very special nieces and nephews and their families.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer’s Society. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com

Jane was especially fond of multi decade long neighbors Tom and Sandy Staub who always took time to visit with her and Ann Leonard who satisfied her sweet tooth with her delicious baked goods.

The family is thankful to Marcy Canini for providing care and companionship to Jane this past month.

It was Jane’s wish that there be no public visitation or service. With her feisty sense of humor, she reminded her daughters that if they held services, she would do her best to playfully haunt them. Following cremation, a private interment will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory.

Jane’s family would like to thank everyone for their love and support during our time of loss.

Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.