He was born April 5, 1927 in the Town of Oconto to Harry G. and Evelyn M. (Marek) Bitters. He grew up on the family farm and attended Lena schools, graduating from high school with the class of 1944. Following in his father's footsteps, he would lead a life committed to the betterment of the family farm and promoting the co-operative movement.
On October 12, 1946 he married Ione "Dickie" Hanek in Oconto. Together they lived and farmed on the Bitters Homestead until moving to Oconto Falls in 1995. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lena where he ushered with his wife and was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. He also was a member of the Lena Lions Club and served on the Lena School Board as treasurer. Arlyn served on numerous boards and held offices for many years with the Rural Electric Coop (REA), Production Credit Association (PCA), Equity Shipping Association, Maple Valley Insurance Co., Oconto County and Bay Lakes Coops, and the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives (WFC). He has been recognized by the WFC with an award for the significant contributions he has made for the development and growth of co-operatives. He also received recognition for service with the FFA, outstanding young farmer awards from the Junior Chamber of Commerce and WBAY-TV, the Lena Civic Development Corp. and for 35 years of membership with Morning Glory. At one time, "Pokie" was a 4-H Leader, Civil Defense Coordinator, and active with Oconto County Dairy Promotions and Breakfast On The Farm activities.
Survivors are his wife of 54 years and best friend, Ione 'Dickie" Bitters; their five children, Tom (Kay) Bitters, Lena; Priscilla (Tom) Bober, Oconto; Chris (Bonnie) Bitters, Lena; Leon (Patti) Bitters, Lena; Carrie (Ken) Greetan, Green Bay; nine grandchildren; two very special girls who were like grandchildren, Jordan and Terri Malingowski; four sisters, Delores Poradek and Lulaine Henderson both of Oconto Falls; Violet (Jack) Fidler, Port Washington; Leatrice (Bill) Townsend, Sturgeon Bay; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ronald (Shirley) Hanek, Beryl (Jerome) Meyer all of Lena; Marlene (Arvid) Seefeldt, Green Bay; Lenore (Jerome) Wyent, Little Suamico; John (Maryanne) Hanek, Idaho Falls, ID; many loved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Wade Thomas Bitters, and brother-in-law, Harry Poradek.
Friends called at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls after 4 p.m. Sunday, parish prayer service 7:30 p.m. and Knights of Columbus prayer service, 8 p.m. Sunday. Visitation continued at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lena after 9 a.m. Monday until the time of services. Mass of Christian Burial was 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Fr. Frank P. Schrage officiating. Burial in St. Charles Catholic Cemetery, Lena. ---