Scotty Joe Bitner's Obituary
Scotty Joe Bitner was born February 17, 1938 to Joe & Dorothy Keesee Bitner at home in Pittsburg, Ks. He lived his entire life in southeast Kansas except for a short period of his childhood in Padukah, Kentucky.
Scotty attended Washington Grade School and College High. He started working in the auto business at the age of 13 at Friendly Auto Mart owned by Bill Lemon.
Scotty was an avid stock car driver and operated 69 Speedway in Pittsburg. He was a lifelong NASCAR fan.
He started his own business Bitner Motors in 1972 on East 4th Street and later moved his business to 11th and Broadway working alongside his two sons. The business is still in operation under the ownership of his son, Mike.
Scotty married Colleen Dundee August 29, 1959. They later divorced. On October 10, 1986, he married Phyllis Liposek.
Scotty is survived by 2 sons, Mike Bitner (Lori), Frontenac, and Jody Bitner, Pittsburg, and one daughter, Kay Baden (Andy), Lawrence, and 2 stepdaughters, Missy Andrews, Pittsburg, and Billie McCloud (Gene), Pittsburg. He is survived by 7 grandchildren, Brooke Bitner (Jon), Springfield, MO, Katelyn Standlee (Nick), Frontenac, Jackie Bitner, Pittsburg, Joey Bitner (Brandi), Houston, Zach Baden, Lawrence, Josh Baden (Victoria), Kansas City, MO, Abby Baden (Cody), Topeka and three step grandchildren, Brittany Hughes, Layton, UT, Cody McCloud, Pittsburg, Alex Andrews, Pittsburg and two great-grandchildren, Bianca Kay Alegria, Topeka, Steele Michael Standlee, Frontenac and a step great grandson, Carter Hughes, Layton, UT. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Scotty Michael Bitner, his parents Joe & Dorothy Bitner and a brother Jack.
Upon retirement Scotty and his wife, Phyllis, opened Scotty’s Classic Car Museum in Arma which became a well-known tourist attraction throughout the country. They worked with the local CVB and the State Tourism board to bring tourists to the area and became one of the most visited tourist sites in southeast Kansas. Scotty was well known for his knowledge of autos (both new and classic). He was also an auto appraiser.
Scotty was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Frontenac. He was also a member of KIADA (Kansas Independent Auto Dealers Association), NIADA (National Independent Auto Dealers Association), Kansas State Historical Society, and was a Founding Member of The Jefferson Highway Association.
Services will be at Bath Naylor Funeral Home, Pittsburg and will also be live streamed at www.bathnaylor.com. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7-8 p.m. The rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Thursday and services will begin at 10 a.m. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
The family will be at the home at 1015 S. Dittman, Frontenac. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to PSU Automotive Department.
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