CECIL CALVERT BITTINGER, 73, of Hagerstown, Maryland, died Saturday, February 21, 2009 at his home. Born September 10, 1935, in Hagerstown, Maryland, he was the son of the late Cecil and Dorothy Elizabeth Downin Bittinger. Cecil was a member of the 1953 Hagerstown High School graduating class. He served in the U.S. Army with active duty 1958-1960. Upon discharge he joined the Maryland State Police where he served at numerous barracks as both Patrol Trooper and Criminal Investigator. . Cecil served as Barrack Commander in Cumberland from 1989-1992. He transferred to the Hagerstown Barrack as Commander until retiring as 1st Lieutenant in 1996. He served as President of the South Hagerstown Fire Company since 1965. He also served as a member of the Washington County Emergency Service Air Unit 25 serving as Chief. Cecil was a member of the Hagerstown Board of Public Safety, serving as Chairman for the past eight years. He was a member of the HDH Hunting Club serving as a Director Cecil was a life member of the Potomac Fish and Game Club; .the Maryland State Policy Alumni; the Maryland Troopers Association Lodge 88, and Federal Order of Police Lodge 88. He is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Donna Gearhart Bittinger; one daughter, Karen Sue Long and husband David of Hagerstown, MD; one son, Douglas Cecil Bittinger and wife, Sunni of Hagerstown, MD; one granddaughter, Sara Bittinger; three grandsons, Grant Long, Scott Long and Darren Bittinger. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Minnich Funeral Home, 415 East Wilson Boulevard, Hagerstown, MD. The Rev. F. Allan Weatherholt, Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Rest Have Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1037 Haven Road, Hagerstown, MD 21742 or Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742.