Grant E. "Gitch" Bleiler, 86

Grant E. "Gitch" Bleiler, 86, of Kutztown, died May 23, 2012 in his residence.

He was the widower of Geraldine A. (Stump) Bleiler, who died Oct. 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 Zion's 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.

Survivors: 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 five 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 will be held May 31, at 10:30 a.m. in Zion's Union Church, 329 Church Road, Kutztown, with the Reverend Jimmy Lee Werley officiating. Interment will follow in Zion Maxatawny Union Cemetery. Friends may call May 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Home, 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the church.

The family requests contributions be made to Zion's Union Church 329 Church Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. The Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.ludwickfh.com.