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Collection Overview
Title: Robert and John Bitzer Chief Illiniwek Records and Regalia, 1938-2007
ID: 26/20/258
Primary Creator: Bitzer, John (1952-2023)
Other Creators: Bitzer, Robert (1923-1996)
Extent: 4.5 cubic feet
Biographical Note
John L. Bitzer was born on October 21, 1952 and passed away on July 14, 2023. He graduated from Shelbyville, IL High School in 1970. He attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, serving as Chief Illiniwek, the mascot for the University’s sports teams, for four years. John and his father, Robert, were the only father and son duo who both served as Chief Illiniwek. John graduated in 1974 with a degree in psychology. He received his law degree from John Marshall Law School in 1979 and practiced law in Collinsville, IL.
John was active in the community. He and his wife, Mary Ann, had three children.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Personal Papers, 1920-2010],
[
Series 2: Chief Illiniwek Regalia and Headdress Box, ca. 1950-1970],
[
All]
- Series 1: Personal Papers, 1920-2010
- Publications, notes, news clipping, articles. Arranged in alphabetical order.
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Book - The Removal of the Cherokee Nation, ed. Louis Filler & Allen Guttmann, 1962
- Folder 2: Chief Illiniwek: History, n.d.
- Publications, texts, drafts of statements
- Folder 3: Chief Illiniwek: A Tribute to an Illinois Tradition; News Gazette, 2007
- Publication with text and photographs.
- Folder 4: Correspondence about Chief Illiniwek, 1970-1991
- Folder 5: Donald Bitzer - Newspaper Articles about
- Folder 6: Handwritten Notes about Chief Illiniwek, ca. 1970s
- Folder 7: John Bitzer - English II Journal, 1967-1968
- Also contains comments from teacher.
- Folder 8: John Bitzer - Newspaper Articles about, ca. 1970s
- Folder 9: Note Cards about Chief Illiniwek, n.d.
- Folder 10: Newspaper Articles about Chief Illiniwek, 1970s-2007
- Folder 11: Newspaper Article about Collinsville High School Kahok Indian, 1971
- Folder 12: Periodical Articles about Chief Illiniwek, 1970s-2007
- Folder 13: Printed Materials about Chief Illiniwek, n.d.
- Folder 14: Publications- Boy Scouts "Indian Lore," Merit Badge Series, 1942, 1959
- Folder 15: Publications - Native American History, n.d.
- Folder 16: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Freshman Year, 1938
- Folder 17: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Sophomore Year, 1939
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Junior Year, 1940
- Folder 2: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Senior Year, 1941
- Folder 3: Robert Bitzer - Newspaper Articles about, 1948-1980s
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Photographs - Family & Chief Illiniwek, n.d.
- Folder 2: Bitzer Family Photo Album, 1968-1970s
- Folder 3: Newspaper Article about Native American History, 1995
- Folder 4: LIFE Magazine, "Our Indian Heritage", July 2, 1971
- Folder 5: Newspaper Articles about End of Chief Illiniwek Mascot, Feb. - Mar., 2007
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Personal Papers, 1920-2010],
[
Series 2: Chief Illiniwek Regalia and Headdress Box, ca. 1950-1970],
[
All]
Holdings 
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