Diane Sue BitlerBurlington, KS

Diana “Diane” S. Bitler, 73, died January 9, 2025, at Coffey County Hospital, Burlington. She was born July 1, 1951, in Emporia, to Frank and Maxine (Wieland) Phillips. Diane graduated from Emporia High School in 1969. She was a homemaker while her daughters were growing up and then went to work as a waitress at Peggy Sue’s. She had also worked at Hoover’s for a few years.

Diane was an avid bingo-er and enjoyed going to casinos. She had a love for playing Yahtzee, cards, dice, and board games with her family. Diane also enjoyed tending to flowers in her yard, feeding and watching the hummingbirds.  In the past several years, Diane looked forward to going to Cilantros with her son-in-law, Chris and close friends on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

On January 8, 1970, she married Daniel Bitler in Emporia. They shared 45 years of marriage before he died on December 25, 2015.

Diane is survived by: daughters, Kristina Davies and husband Randall Smith of Lebo, Kari Webb and partner Dennis Vigna of Baldwin City, Kayla Lucca and husband Shawn of Gunter, TX; son-in-law, Chris Grow of Burlington; grandchildren, Walker Davies, Christian Solano, Nicholas Solano, Garrett Smith, Zy Solano, Eli Grow, Jordan Webb, Rylee Webb; great grandchildren, Maverick, Daniela, and Waylon Solano; and siblings, Lynn Horgan, Trish Baughman, Craig Phillips, Steve Phillips, and Danny Phillips.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Cheryl Knight, Terry Phillips; and daughter, Kimberly Grow.

Cremation will take place.  She will be laid to rest at a later date in Blakely Cemetery.

Memorial services will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Radiant Life Church, New Strawn, with Pastor Daniel Gray officiating.

Family will greet friends following the service at Kelley Hall, Burlington.

Memorial donations may be made to the Floyd Lewis Foundation, in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277 Burlington, KS 66839.