Janice Arlene Plank Bittenbender, age 78 of Loudon, passed away Monday, January 7, 2013 at her home. Mrs. Bittenbender was a member of Riverview Baptist Church. She spent her life feeding people, in her career and in her volunteer work. While employed with Canteen Cafeteria, she cooked and served the employees of Monterey Mushroom. As a lifetime member of the Lefemmes 40 and 8, American Legion and VFW Ladies Auxillaries, she worked tirelessly to support the endeavors of the veterans and her fellow club members in their efforts. She cooked alongside many ladies preparing food for the veterans’ clubs and other civic organizations as a way to fundraise for the Toys for Tots. She so enjoyed buying, wrapping and distributing gifts for the children of our community through the Holiday Toy drives. During her memberships, she held multiple offices on the local, district and state levels. She was preceded in death by her son, Curtis Wayne Werkheiser; husband, Dick Bittenbender and parents, Russell Dean and Agnes Harvey Plank. Survivors include her son, Dean Werkheiser, Loudon; daughter, Sylvia Brannon, Tallahassee; grandchildren, Demaris Lennex Cline, Marie Lennex, Sierra Williford, Brandon Brannon; great grandchildren, Hana Cline, Riley, Emily and Abby Pryor; brother, Robert Plank and sister, Jean Heller. Memorial services will be held 7:00 PM Thursday at the Riverview Baptist Church with Rev. Gene Farmer officiating. The family will receive friends 6:00 – 7:00 PM prior to the service at Riverview Baptist Church. McGill-Karnes Funeral Home, Loudon. www.mcgillkarnes.com
