Bertha Anastasia (Belin) Kitko, 97, of Madera passed away at 12:10 a.m., July 2, 2012 at Mt. Laurel Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Clearfield.
She was born on Aug. 6, 1914 at Smoke Run, a daughter of the late Paul and Mary (Vancas) Belin.
Bertha was a homemaker and the oldest parishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Madera. She also was a former member of the Immaculate Conception Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, St. Victoria’s Court #646, Houtzdale.
On Feb. 3, 1936 in the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Houtzdale, Bertha married Matthew A. Kitko, he preceded her in death on June 21, 1993.
Bertha is survived by the following children; Eleanor E. Jasper of Linden, PA; Patricia C. Slifko of Morann; Matthew J. Kitko and his wife JoAnn of Montoursville; Jean F. LeCerf of Houtzdale; Shirley A. Cardinal and her husband Richard of Houtzdale; Lawrence A. Kitko and his wife Linda of Houtzdale and Dennis M. Kitko and his wife Sue of Madera. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; Gene Jasper (Sue), Timothy Jasper, Kathy Slifko, Barbara Slifko, Michelle Stine (Jim), Cheryl Marino (John), Debbie Walper, Deanna Kimble (Todd), Larry LeCerf and Brenda Flango (Tom); 10 great grandchildren; Nathan Jasper, Nicole Jasper, Lyndsey Jasper, James Stine, Andrew Stine, Ashby Marino, Abby Marino, Darynn Flango (Alison) and Miranda Flango and 2 great great grandchildren, Lydia and Jewelana Jasper.
Bertha is also survived by a sister, Tillie Nipps of Spotswood, NJ and a brother, Lewis Belin of Altoona.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by infant daughter, Margaret Mary; great granddaughter, Melissa Marie Slifko; great grandson, Ryan Matthew Jasper; daughter-in-law, Angela Kitko; son-in-laws, Michael Slifko, Eugene Jasper and Larry “Skip” LeCerf; 8 sisters and 7 brothers; Mary Kitko, Barbara Leonard, Helen Maag, Frances McKotch, Elizabeth Mallon, Catherine Kopchinsky, Paul Belin, Frank Belin, Joseph Belin, Steve Belin, Samuel Belin; and infant siblings Anna, Margaret, Peter and Rudolph.
Bertha was loving mother & grandmother and enjoyed baking and working crossword puzzles.
Friends will be received on July 4 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. and on July 5 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Kruise Funeral Home, Inc Madera.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Madera, at on July 5 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Zab Amar as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery Brisbin. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donors choice. Condolences may be sent to; condolences@kruisefuneralhome.com.