Gary E. Kittle

Gary E. Kittle, 67, of Burlington, Pa., passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, at the Robert Packer Hospital with his wife and family by his side. He was the loving husband of Susan (Barnhart) Kittle. The couple married July 1, 1988 and had 26 happy years together.

There will be a gathering to celebrate Gary's life from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, at the Troy Vet's Club, 1 Veterans Drive, Troy, Pa. At 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 27, at the Vet's Club, military rites will be given by the Troy Honor Guard. The Gerald W. Vickery Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 1093 West Main St., Troy, Pa. has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Gary was born on Dec. 22, 1946 in Troy, Pa., son of the late W. Ward and Lois (Freelove) Kittle. He was a member of the Troy High School class of 1964. Gary was a Vietnam veteran, honorably serving his country in the US Army. In Vietnam he was a crew chief for a Huey Helicopter, and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and two Bronze Service Stars. After Gary came back from the war, he worked for DuPont in Towanda for 27 years as a mechanic. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 49 in Troy, Pa. and VFW Post No. 1568 in Towanda, Pa. When Gary was younger he was a member of the 4H and showed Quarter Horses. He enjoyed playing softball and coached little league teams. He also liked riding snow mobiles, jeep rides in the woods, and hunting. He and Sue enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.

Gary is survived by his wife, Sue; his children, Tereasa (Jay) Kittle Forbes of East Berlin, Pa., Samantha (Casey Clegg) Kittle Benson of Troy, Pa., Todd Shartle of Ohio, Eric (Lisa) Shartle of Pittsburgh, Pa., Kyle (Amy) Wisel of Troy, Pa., and Michele (Jay) Wisel Johnson of Vestal, N.Y.; his 11 grandchildren, Andrew May, Vanessa Benson, Alexandra May, Adrianne Shartle, Piper Wisel, Macy Johnson, Parker Wisel, Reagan Shartle, Ethan Shartle, Patton Wisel, and Flynn Johnson; his brothers, Bill (Donna Baker) Kittle of Mainesburg, Pa., Harry (Sarah) Kittle of Lawrenceville, Pa., and Leland "Skip" (Sara Sylvester) Kittle of Waterville, Maine; his sister, Wilma Young of Wetona, Pa.; sister-in-law, Jane Kittle of Columbia Cross Roads, Pa.; along with several nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Duane and Don Kittle; and his brother-in-law, Ernie Young.

The family has asked that memorial contributions be made in Gary's memory to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center's Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center (IBD Center for Crohn's Disease), 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 or to the American Cancer Society, 1948 E 3rd St., Williamsport, PA 17701 or to the Troy American Legion Post No. 49, 1 Veterans Drive, Troy, PA 16947.

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