Baby Layden Joe Bittner came into this world on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 11:47 P.M., about 18 weeks early. He weighed only 1 lb., 2oz. and was just 11.5 inches long, but this little soul was loved by many hearts. He was a fighter, but his little body just wasn't able to mature fast enough to keep pace with the demands of this world, and he passed from our arms into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 4:39 P.M.

He is survived by his parents, Valerie Porter and Keith Bittner of Cedar Rapids; his sister, Leah Bittner of Cedar Rapids; his grandparents, Terry and Jerica Cooper of Mitchellville and James and Jennifer Porter of Cedar Rapids; his great-grandparents, Alex and Wanda Peat of Sioux Center; his great-grandmothers, Edna Smith of Des Moines and Kathryn Ballard of Newton; his great-great grandmother, Arlene Bidwell of Sioux Center, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Sunday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 2nd Street S.E., where visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until the time of services. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Des Moines.