Paul F. Bitzinger, 46, Washington Township, near Liberty Center, was pronounced dead on arrival at Heller Memorial Hospital at 4:20 a.m. Tuesday. He was brought to the hospital by the Liberty Center Rescue Squad after suddenly becoming ill at his home.

Bitzitiger, a Navy veteran of World War II, had been employed as a stationary steam engineer at Campbell Soup Co. for the past 15 years. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Liberty Center; and Liberty Center Post No. 6596 of Veterans of F’oreign Wars.

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was born July 13, 1925, the son of John M. Bitzinger and Elsie Schmidt. His wife is the former Laura Rosebrock, Ridgeville Corners. Following their marriage on December 21, 1946, they resided in Fort Wayne for 10 years; then in Ridgeville Corners for one year prior to moving to their present home in 1958.

Surviving, besides his wife, are three sons, Douglas, an Air Force sergeant stationed in England, Robin, who is an Airman 1-c in the Air Force at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Michael at home; two daughters, Mrs. Barry (Christine) Aab, Columbus, Marlene at home; his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Bitzinger, Fort Wayne, one brother, Raymond, Fort Wayne; and a sister, Mrs. Adrian (Margaret) Leonard, also of Fort Wayne. His mother preceded him in death in 1940.

Friends may call at the Wesche Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday (today) and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Funeral services, conducted by the Reverend Ted Schroeder, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, in Liberty Center. Interment will be made in Young Cemetery, Liberty Center, with military rites conducted by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.