1850 or 1851 Birth: Obituary in Olpe Optimist983 gives birth year as 1850; tombstone inscription1841 in Pleasant Ridge Cemtery, Olpe, Center Township, Lyon County, Kansas is 1851.

1874 Marriage:984 Marriage record, Lyon County, Kansas gives date of marriage as 4 March 1874.

1880 U.S. Census:2137 Arminda enumerated in the household of her husband W. S. Bitler in Madison Township, Greenwood County, Kansas as a white, female, age 29, wife, married, keeping house, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Ohio. Her mother, Louisa Keith, age 52, was resided in the household.

1917 Obituary:983 Mrs. Arminda Keith Bitler. Mrs. Bitler was born in Indianola, Illinois, December 25, 1850, and died in Madison, Kansas, April 2, 1917, near midnight, aged 66 years, 3 months, and 7 days. With her parents, she came to Kansas in 1859 and located near Emporia. On February 4, 1874, when 23 years of age she united in marriage to William Sawyer Bitler by the Rev. C. E. Lewis. They moved to a ranch 7 miles from Olpe, Kansas where they made their home.

To this union were born 10 children, 3 boys and 7 girls. Five of the children died in infancy. The husband and father died Oct. 6, 1896. Mrs. Bitler is survived by 5 children, who are: Miss Ina, Mrs. Ella Bitler Starr, Mrs. Erma Bitler Shaffer, Harry William Bitler, and Miss Fae Bitler. There are also many distant relatives and a host of friends who mourn her departure.

She had been an invalid for two years, suffered much, but was always patient and considerate of others. She was a good business woman and was a stockholder and director of the Madison Bank for many years. She had a trained mind and was intelligent on all questions of history and current events. The writer visited with her many times in her home, and always found her cheerful, optimistic, and smiling.

While not united with any church, she worked with the M. E. Aid Society and was greatly appreciated. She attended the preaching services before her long illness. It was interesting and fascinating to hear her tell of experiences in the early days of Kansas, particularly with the Indians.

Mrs. Bitler was a good wife and mother, a loyal citizen. The entire community sympathizes with those who mourn their loss.

A few hours before she passed into the great beyond she was sitting in her chair, visiting with her children and neighbors. Before the clock struck twelve, she fell into an everlasting sleep, as far as time is concerned, without pain or struggle. May her soul rest in peace.

The funeral services were held at the family home Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. April 4, 1917, conducted by Rev. Evans, Methodist Episcopal Pastor. The singing was furnished by a selected quartette. The flowers were profuse and very beautiful. Every room in the beautiful home was filled by those who came to pay their last respects. The students of the high school of which Miss Ina Bitler is instructor, were present in a body.

The body was laid to rest in the family lot in the beautiful Pleasant Ridge Cemetery at Olpe, Kansas.