BRANDON, Fla.— Margaret B. Kellner-Hoopes, 93, passed way Tuesday, July 21, 2009 in Brandon, Florida after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Syndrome.

Margaret was born in Philadelphia, Pa as Margaret Bitzer on Oct. 12, 1915, to Conrad and Katarina (Bormann) Bitzer. The family owned Bitzer’s Bakery, which was in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia.

In 1946 she married Edward O. Kellner, a real-estate broker and banking executive. They had two sons, Edward Jr. and Donald. In 1956, this city couple moved to Buckskin, at times appearing like the inspiration for the show “Green Acres,” as they adjusted their big city lives to farming and the pastoral countryside. Margaret always had a high energy level and a passion for her many friends, old and new. She was active in her church, St. John’s Church of Buckskin, serving at times as the church secretary, as a member of the Women’s Guild, and helping to organize women’s retreats for the Indiana-Kentucky UCC Women’s group.

Margaret was a very good typist and took pride in using proper grammar. She worked as a secretary in Philadelphia before moving to Indiana.  

She also worked for the Boy Scouts of America Capital Campaign in Evansville; for the Somerville Elementary school; and she wrote the “Barton By-Lines” for The Oakland City Journal.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ed Kellner in 1985, and Thomas Hoopes in 1998; brothers John, Ray, and Herb Bitzer, sisters Katherine Lauderburn and Alice D’Angelo, and infant granddaughter Nathalie Kellner.

 She is survived by her sons Edward O. (Darlene) of Dover, Fla., and Donald R. (Kristine) of Carmel; five grandsons – Brandon (Gabrielle) of Weeki Wachee, Fla.; Brett of Denver, Colo.; Ryan and Nathan of Indianapolis; Braedon of Charleston S.C.; one granddaughter, Alexandra of Carmel; and one great-granddaughter, Daphne of Weeki Wachee.

 Visitation will be Friday, July 31, from 5–8 p.m. at Corn-Colvin Funeral Home, Oakland City. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 1, 11 a.m. at St. John’s Church of Buckskin. The Rev. Frank Sapp and Rev. Scott Tyring will officiate.