Obituaries

Jack David Bittle

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Pontiac, Sturgis, Ann Arbor, Cassopolis, Chelsea, and Fairfield Glade, Tennessee, for 20 years before returning to Chelsea, age 90, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Towsley Village. He was born October 27, 1934, in Sylvan Lake, Michigan, the son of George Raymond Bittle and Barbara Burr Miller.

First and foremost, Jack was a devoted husband, the best father, and an outstanding role model. He was just a good, good man who brought great joy to many. Jack took administration courses from both the University of Michigan and Western Michigan. He had a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music and a Master’s Degree in the Humanities, both from U of M. While at U of M, he played in the marching band and symphony band. Jack began teaching as Band Director in 1956, in Cassopolis, Michigan, and was there two years. In 1958, he became Band Director at Sturgis High School and taught for 13 years. For the following 11 ½ years, Jack was the High School Principal at Sturgis. Jack was active in the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and became President in 1976. In January of 1981, Jack became the Executive Director for the MASSP and remained there until June of 1996, when he retired to Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. Of all the things Jack did in his career, being a band director was the most important because of all the students he could reach and teach.