On Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, Kenneth Kitko Sr. of Houtzdale departed after 76 years on this earth.
Mr. Kitko was the seventh child born to Margaret (Trella) and Andrew H. Kitko in Tubbs Crossing on May 30, 1938.
He enjoyed a wonderful childhood with his 14 brothers and sisters while he worked in the family business, Sunny Brook Dairy.
Once grown, he and his brother, Robert, established Kitko Wood Products Inc. He, along with several other family members, worked hard to make it a successful business and it remains so today thanks in no
small part to his business acumen.
On Oct. 15, 1966, he married Clementine “Tina” Kaspick, who survives. They had a marriage of love, friendship and respect. It was truly a success in the eyes of their friends and family.
Mr. Kitko and Tina have five children who survive, Kenneth Jr. and his wife, Paulette (Pallo), Kristine Kitko Carlini, Jennifer DellAntonio and her husband, Joseph, Stephen and his wife Mary Jo (Lutz) and Daniel.
While he worked and raised his children, he was a member of the Christ the King Roman Catholic Church. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Kitko was a Dale Carnegie graduate. He served as an executive member of the former MidState Bank. Mr. Kitko was a member of the Moshannon Valley School Board.
He was a huge Penn State football fan. A season ticket holder for more than 35 years, nothing pleased him more than to watch Penn State win. He was proud to be a Nittany Lion Club member and to be a part of the Penn State football family.
He’s also survived by his grandchildren, Gabriel Ford, Seth Ford, Hannah Kitko, Emma Kitko, Dominic Carlini and Ariana Rose Carlini. He delighted in each grandchild and loved talking about what made each of them special.
He’s also survived by his brothers and sisters who he also considered friends. He has two brothers, Thomas and his wife, Frances of Tubbs Crossing and Andrew of Ramey.
He’s survived by his sisters, Tess and her husband, Gerard Hansel and Beverly and her husband, Ronald Bezilla, both of Houtzdale, Noreen and her husband, Dennis Deslongchamp of Lebanon, Patricia and her husband, Richard Maxwell and Rose Butterworth, both of Philipsburg, Becky and her husband, Thomas Kaspick of Braselton, Ga., and Mary Ellen Kitko of Smoke Run.
Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Norma Kitko of Glen Hope, Mary Ann Kitko of Beccaria and Carol Kitko of Houtzdale and scores of nieces and nephews.
Preceding Mr. Kitko in death are his parents; three brothers, Jack, Donald and Robert; and two sisters, Lorraine Snyder and Margaret Fundack.
Mr. Kitko was successful in business, but even more remarkable was his success in the business of life. He lived his life by simply doing what was right. His path was straight and his decisions were clear.
He was always present in a conversation, always ready for a laugh and somehow knew exactly the right advice to give, but only if asked. Patience, love, and loyalty to his friends and family were a constant theme in his life.
Surely God laughed on the day he was born to have given us such a gift. God now laughs to have him home. Well done, Mr. Kitko; well done.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at the Kruise Funeral Home Inc., Ramey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Christ the King Catholic Church, Houtzdale, with Father Marc J. Solomon as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Brisbin.
Condolences may be sent to condolences@kruisefuneralhome.com.