Dorothy May Kilgore Bittler, 93, a longtime resident of Hermitage, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, May 8, 2025. She had been under her son, Kevin Kilgore's, care while at his residence in Oak Harbor, OH.

Mrs. Bittler was born July 4, 1931, in Sharon, a daughter of the late Homer and Muriel (Sayre) Swanson. She was a 1949 graduate of Hickory High School.

Dorothy worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Sharon Regional Hospital, retiring in 1993. She was a member of Hickory United Methodist Church, Hermitage.

An active member of her community, Dorothy was a Former Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. For over 50 years, she was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. She loved camping in the Pennsylvania mountains, swimming, and sprint car racing.

Dorothy is survived by a daughter, Jacquie Kilgore Rademacher (Paul), Coopersburg, PA; two sons, Keith Kilgore (Elizabeth) , York Harbor, ME, and Kevin Kilgore, Oak Harbor, OH; seven grandchildren, Sean Rademacher, Jesse Rademacher, Stacy Rademacher Vance, Ian Kilgore, Hans Kilgore, Kimberly Ghirardi, and Kristen Hranko; and nine great grandchildren, Devin Kilgore, Tegan, Taj, and Isaiah Rademacher, Cameron and Zoey Vance, Jillian and Lydia Ghirardi, and Dillon Kilgore.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her first husband, James Kilgore; second husband, Daniel Bittler; and her son, James Kilgore.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be directed to the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation, PO Box 1875, Concord, NC 28026; https://rbff.kindful.com/m or to Lydia's Love Moments Fund; https://cfwpeo.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1600

In keeping with Dorothy's wishes, all services will be held privately.

Interment: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.