Obituary of Joseph M. Kitta

Mount Pleasant, Joseph M. "Ben" Kitta, age 83 of Mount Pleasant, PA, died Tuesday (07/31/2012) at his home surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Kitta was born November 4, 1928 in Mount Pleasant, PA, the son of the late John and Amelia Szymanski Kitta. He was a member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church and the former Transfiguration Parish, and the Holy Name Society .Ben was a 1949 graduate of the former East Huntingdon Township High School. He proudly served in the United States Army, 169th Infantry, 432nd Division and was a veteran of the Korean Era. Ben had worked for the former Hostoffer Meat Packing Plant, Glick Brothers, and Espey's Market.He retired as a Food Inspector for the USDA. He was active with the Ministry of Consolation, was a Eucharistic Minister, and Usher at St. Pius X Parish, and was always available to serve at funeral masses. He had also been active in the Meals on Wheels program. He liked to fish and loved playing Santa for the children of Mt. Pleasant and the surrounding area. He was a general handy man who could do a little bit of everything. Ben was a life member of the VFW Post 3368, the Hecla Sportsman's Club and the Normalville Rod and Gun Club. Joe was a kind and gentle man. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He touched the lives of many throughout his years, and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Ben is survived by his loving family: his wife of 58 years, Marian J. Beranek Kitta, his beloved children; Joseph C. Kitta and his wife Karen Sue of Mt. Pleasant, Michael J. Kitta and his wife Angel of Everson, Mark R. Kitta, Susan J. Kitta and Amy L. Keefer and her husband Chuck, all of Mt. Pleasant. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren; Nicholas Kitta, Michelle Kitta Valone, Daniel Kitta, and Alexandra Kitta, and by his great grandchildren, Gage and Isabella Valone. Ben is also survived by his brother, Walter Kitta of GA, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters; Bruno, John, Ted, Stanley, Mitchell, Thomas and Peter Kitta, Stella Konieczny, and Susan Guriewicz, and an infant sister, Frances. Family and friends will be received on Thursday from 7 to 9 PM and Friday from 2 until 9 PM at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mount Pleasant. A blessing service will be held Saturday at 9:30AM in the funeral home, followed by His 10:00 AM Funeral Mass in St. Pius X RC Church, Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. Interment with full military rites accorded by the American Legion Post 446 and the VFW Post 3368 will be in the Transfiguration Parish Cemetery, Mount Pleasant. A parish wake service will be held at 3PM Friday, and the Transfiguration Holy Rosary will pray the rosary at 6PM on Friday at the funeral home. To offer an online condolence, please visit our website at www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com