Jay G. Kitzmiller, age 69, of Lakeview, formerly of New Bremen, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at 10:18 a.m. at the Lima Memorial Health System, in Lima, Ohio, after a seven-month struggle with illness.
He was born on Feb. 10, 1952 in Celina, the son of the late Elmer J. and Marie M. (Burmeister) Kitzmiller. On Aug. 5, 1995, he married Nora Butterman, who survives in Lakeview.
Also surviving are his step-children Sara (Kenny) Hollon of Carlisle, and Al (Allison Ramos) Pierson of Chicago, his step-grandchildren Kaleb Hollon and Adelaide Pierson. Also left to cherish his memory are his siblings: Michael (Marjorie) Kitzmiller of Ft. Loramie, James (Jeanie) Kitzmiller, Jon (Janice) Kitzmiller, Mark (Peggy) Kitzmiller, all of New Bremen, Kerry Kitzmiller of Jackson Center, Jayne (Clark Rodeheffer) Kitzmiller of New Knoxville, his in-laws: Andy (Brenda) Blevins of Marion, Mike (Ruth) Blevins of Mineral Bluff, Ga., Jeri (George) Brown of Muncy, Pa., as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Along with his parents, Jay was preceded in death by a nephew, and his father and mother in-law Bob (Sandy) Butterman.
Jay was a 1972 graduate of New Bremen High School, where he was proud to be part of New Bremen’s first football team. After graduation he became an assistant coach for the football team and held that position for many years. Jay retired from Crown Equipment Corp. of New Bremen in 2012 after 38 years of service as a welder. He loved woodworking, and spent many hours crafting children’s pull toys and outdoor whirlygigs, and enjoyed spending time with Nora at area craft shows in the fall. He had a passion for fishing, and he looked forward to the spring fishing trips with his brothers. He was a fan of the Chicago Bears, OSU Buckeyes, and Dale Earnhardt, Sr. In recent years he and Nora had moved to live on Indian Lake and he became a member of the Indian Lake Moose Lodge #1533.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 13, at 1 p.m. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen with Bryan Trego officiating. Interment will follow in the Willow Grove Cemetery of New Bremen. Calling hours will be held prior to the services at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday.
To honor Jay’s life as a simple person, please dress casually for the services. The family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be directed to the funeral home. Online condolences to the family can be left on the funeral home website at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.