Grant E Bleiler

Grant E. “Gitch” Bleiler, 86, of Kutztown, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in his residence. He was the widower of Geraldine A. (Stump) Bleiler, who died October 22, 2007.

Born in Maxatawny Township, he was a son of the late Granville H. and Nora J. (Kercher) Bleiler. Grant was a 1944 graduate of Kutztown Area High School. He was a member of the Reformed congregation of Zions Union Church, Maxatawny. He was a Sgt 1st class with the United States Army, serving during the Korean Conflict stationed in Japan. He worked a machinist for over 40 years at McConway & Torley, formerly the Kutztown Foundry and Ingersol Rand, retiring in 1993. He was president of Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers Union, Local 361 at Kutztown Foundry for over 20 years. Gitch was a Founding board member of the Kutztown Youth Athletic Association (KYAA), president for over 20 years, and a coach for over 40 years. He was a supporter of all youth athletic programs and was an avid Chicago White Sox fan. Gitch enjoyed pheasant hunting with his german short-hair pointers and brittany spaniels, and his companion later in life was his Jack Russell Lady.

He is survived by Sons, Lou E., husband of Barbara K. (Kreeger) Bleiler, Enos E., husband of Christine (Kenish) Bleiler, all of Kutztown, and Greg D., husband of Ute (Wohlfart) Bleiler, Poppenlaurer, Germany; Sister, Julia (Bleiler) Rhode, Reading, and 5 Grandchildren, Brandon, Nicholas, Nico, Ashley and Noah. He was predeceased by Sisters, Trula (Bleiler) Swoyer and Laila (Bleiler) Lenahan and Brothers, Harold and Dalton Bleiler.

Funeral Services are Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 10:30 AM in Zions Union Church, 329 Church Road, Kutztown, 19530. Interment will follow in Zion Maxatawny Union Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday, May 30, 2012 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Ludwick Funeral Home, 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown and Thursday, from 10:00 to 10:30 AM in the church.

The family requests contributions be made to Zions Union Church 329 Church Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.