George W. Kitts Jr., 85, of Danville passed away peacefully on Feb. 14,
2021, in Danville. He was born in Sharon Hill, Pa., the son of
the late George W. Sr. and Hazel West Kitts.
Following his education in Sharon Hill, George earned his bachelor’s degree
in dairy science at Penn State University in 1957.
He was employed at Girton Manufacturing in Millville for two years, then
moved to the Philadelphia area, where he was employed as the manager of
Safety and Industrial Hygiene by Merck Pharmaceuticals in West Point for 26
years, from which he retired in 1986. Following his retirement, he moved to
State College, where he resided as a live-in landlord for post-graduate
students in a home that he owned for 10 years before moving to Danville.
George was married to his devoted wife of 29 years, Diane Snyder
Sweppenheiser, to whom he was married Nov. 18, 1991, at St. Paul’s United
Methodist Church in State College during the worship service.
He was an active member of Grove Presbyterian Church in Danville, where he
faithfully served as deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher. He was on the
original Board of Directors at the Jubilee Kitchen. His other memberships
included the Danville Area Community Center and the Penn State Alumni
Association. George was often seen at the Thomas Beaver Free Library.
Along with his wife, George enjoyed traveling to many countries and spending
several weeks in Florida for many years. He also enjoyed bicycle riding and
together they enjoyed walking the streets of Danville and sitting on the
bench together by the river.
For several years, they owned a cabin near Lake Mokoma in Laporte, Pa.,
where they loved to host their children and grandchildren during the summer
and winter. George will be deeply missed for his innate ability to know
just what to say to everyone he met. A true gentleman, he will be remembered
by all who knew him for his kind, friendly and gentle spirit.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons: David Kitts and his
wife, Bonnie, of Wilmington, Del., Andrew Kitts and his wife, Cheryl, of
Falmouth, Mass., and daughter, Kimberly Galgano and her husband, Adam, of
Maple Valley, Wash. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Jodi Shinn and
her husband, Joe, of Haddon Heights, N.J., Sam Kitts and Keira Kitts, both
of Wilmington, Del., Nolan Kitts of Seattle, Wash., Taylor Kitts of
Falmouth, Mass., Carter Galgano and his wife, Lauren, of Dallas, Texas,
Davis Galgano of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Maggie Galgano of Seattle, Wash.
He is also survived by two great-grandchildren: Nick and Zac Shinn. Also
surviving are Diane’s children: Rob Sweppenheiser and his wife, Lynnda, of
Ulster, Pa., and their daughter, Megan; Todd Sweppenheiser and his wife,
Leanne, of Willow Grove, Pa., and their daughter, Quinn; and Mark
Sweppenheiser and his wife, Cara, of Big Rapids, Mich., and their children,
Noah and Reagan.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Hazel Schuler.
A
private Celebration of George’s Life will be held Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021,
at Visneski Funeral Home Inc., 42 W. Mahoning St., Danville. With respect to
COVID-19 restrictions, friends and family may view his service remotely by
Facebook Livestream at
www.facebook.com/visneskifh at 10:30am.
Burial will be private in the Grove Presbyterian Memorial Garden, Danville.
The family will provide flowers. Memorial contributions in his honor may be
made to Danville Area Community Center, 1041 Liberty St., Danville, PA
17821; or Grove Presbyterian Church, 376 Bloom Road, Danville, PA 17821; or
Thomas Beaver Free Library, 317 Ferry St., Danville, PA 17821.
Links: Facebook.com/visneskifh
~ Twitter.com/visneskifh ~ www.Visneski.com
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