Leroy E. Bitikofer

Leroy Eldon Bitikofer was born on Jan. 24, 1926 near Canton, Kansas to Fred and Martha (Loucks) Bitikofer. Leroy was the ninth of 10 children (one died in infancy). He was born in the same bedroom he and his future wife, Doris (Selzer) Bitikofer would occupy for six decades. Leroy died on Sept. 26, 2018 at Showalter Villa in Hesston, Kans.Leroy and Doris were married in Canton, Kans. on Aug. 24, 1948.Leroy and Doris were lifetime active members of Spring Valley Mennonite Church. They served for many years as sponsors for Spring Valley’s Mennonite Youth Fellowship (MYF), volunteered together for disaster clean-ups, annual preparation of the Hesston College dormitories for the new school year and in providing church services at the McPherson County Jail. Leroy sang in a Spring Valley Men’s quartet and served as a Sunday school superintendent, a church council member and a trustee.Leroy farmed the "home place" and additional acreage southeast of Canton. In addition to raising wheat and milo and cattle, sheep and chickens, Leroy trimmed and removed trees for clients in Canton. For more than 25 years he worked at Hesston Corporation, (later Hay and Forage). He served on the board for Sunny Hill School; he served on the board of the rural water district; he helped gather donations for the annual CROP drive; in later years, he sang in the 500-voice Mennonite Men’s Chorus. Leroy and Doris also sang in the annual Canton Christmas Cantata for many years. They were both active Red Cross blood donors.Leroy is survived by his wife of 70 years, Doris, of Showalter Villa in Hesston, Kan. He is survived by sons Dwight of St. Louis, Mo., Dennis (Mary) of Canton, Kan., Gary (Laura) of Crestview, Fla. and daughter Leta Kremser (the late Lloyd) of Catawissa, Pa. He is survived by nine grandchildren: Dustin Bitikofer (Lindsey), Nick Bitikofer (engaged to Krysti), Emma Lorimor (Mattheis), Becky Overmiller (Justin), Jami Dietrich (Rob), Kendall Heckard (Brandi), Kurtis Heckard (Jamie), Joshua Bitikofer (Grace) and Jared Bitikofer (Sheritta). Leroy and Doris have eight great-grandchildren.Leroy was an avid student of the Bible. He took classes at Hesston College in the 1940s, even though he had only a grade school education. He was known to be up early every morning, spending time with his Bible before morning chores. If his children were to complain about something, he would often quote from Psalms 118: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."Services will be held at Spring Valley Mennonite Church, 2896 Frontier Road and 29th Avenue, Canton, KS at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 6, 2018. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2018 at Olson's Mortuary, Canton.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Spring Valley Mennonite Church or to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Such donations may be sent in care of Olson’s Mortuary, 139 N. Main, Canton, KS 67428.

Leroy E. Bitikofer

January 24, 1926 - September 26, 2018