J. Barry Bittinger

John Barry Bittinger, 81, loving husband of Nancy Kirk Bittinger, passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at his home.

Born on Saturday, November 23, 1935 in Hanover, he was a son of P. Nadine (Miller) Bittinger of Hanover and the late John H. Bittinger. Barry was the owner of Springhill Garden Center on the Carlisle Pike for forty years, a business that Barry and Nancy built to provide the Hanover area with quality plants, shrubs, and trees.

A 1953 graduate of Eichelberger High School class of 1953, he later received a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Pennsylvania State University in 1957. He served three years in the United States Air Force, stationed in Turkey. Immediately after returning to Hanover he built Springhill. For many years, Barry served as Chairman for the Borough of Hanover Shade Tree Commission and Treasurer for the Hanover Area Arts Guild. His hobby was photography; especially nature and landscapes. He was a lifelong member of St. Mark Lutheran Church.

In addition to his wife of 54 years and his mother, Barry is survived by two sons, Andrew K. Bittinger and wife, Cathy, of Reading and Mark A. Bittinger and wife, Kristin, of Dover, MA; five grandchildren Shawn, Linsay, William, Maxwell, and Olivia; and three siblings, John R. Bittinger, Suzanne Bittinger Irons, and Kathryn Bittinger Regan.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 11 am at St Mark Lutheran Church, 129 Charles St, Hanover with The Rev. Kirk A. Griffin officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 AM on Saturday in the church parlor.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hanover Area Arts Guild, 32 Carlisle St., Hanover, PA 17331, or a charity of the donor’s choice.