Obituaries

Jerome “Jerry” A. Kiralfy, Jr.

April 29, 2017

Jerome “Jerry” A. Kiralfy, Jr. of Manheim went to be with the Lord on April 29, 2017. Born in Pittsburgh in 1924, he was the son of the late Jerome A. and Nettie (Gilbert) Kiralfy. He enjoyed a full life.

From a young age, he helped his father supervise newspaper boys for the Pittsburgh Press. Immediately after the bombing at Pearl Harbor, Jerry marched into a recruiting office asking to serve his country and had to wait to graduate high school to enlist. He proudly served in the Navy, along with his sister Jinnie. He was a Patriotic soul through and through.

After the service, while home working for his dad, he met his “sweet” Nancy (Hull), the love of his life. In 1948, Jerry and Nancy were married and, as they say, the rest is history and what a history it was. Jerry and Nancy were blessed with eight children, five sons, Jay (Maggie) of Lititz, Wray (Janet) of Bethany, Missouri, Floyd of Lititz, Bernie (Jeanne) of Wescosville, PA, and Bob (Leanne) of Manheim and three daughters Donna Miller (Paul) of Richland, Kathy Weaver (Jeff) of Manheim, and Jinnie Townsend of Manheim. They also have 18 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Professionally, the consummate salesman, he spent years selling everything from peanut butter, insurance to office products. In the mid-1960’s, he moved his family from Western PA to Lititz. In February 1969, Jerry was presented the opportunity to serve as the Director of the Lititz Rec Center. He served in that role until 1988. Generations now remember him as the man that could be found at the center day in and day out making sure the community – young, old, rich, and poor – took advantage of all of the programs, including basketball, dances, summer playground and a host of other community activities. He was also very active in the Boy Scouts. After leaving the Rec Center, he worked for the Lancaster County Office of the Aging.

While his love of family, community and country were front and center in his life, Jerry was also active with his church family at Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, serving a variety of roles over the years. Many will miss the personalized birthday and anniversary cards he made for members of the church every month.

After leaving his post at the LRC, Jerry and Nancy moved to the Gretna Springs Community where they made fast friends with neighbors and have been active with community activities.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father Jay who left us much too soon, his dear mother Nettie who graced us with her presence for 108 years, and his beloved sister Jinnie Blackington.

Please join family and friends at a viewing that will take place from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. An additional viewing will be held from 10 to 11 AM at Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, 44 E. Orange St., Lititz, PA on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 followed by funeral services at 11 AM with interment at Trinity E.C. Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity EC Church at the address listed above or the Moravian Manor Benevolence Fund at 300 W. Lemon Street, Lititz, PA, 17543.

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page

Condolences to the Family

May 12, 2017

It was such a treat finally to meet Jerry and Nancy on my last visit to Lititz several years ago over meals with mutual friends, having first heard his praises from my step-father Curt Amidon over 30 years ago. Such a pleasure to learn directly of his history and to have many pieces of local stories filled in. He gave generously to so many in the area. He personally contributed so much to the development of Lititz. Condolences and appreciation to Nancy and to his entire family. Bill Pezick in California

May 03, 2017

Jerry was one of the most significant role models in my life during my Boy Scouting years. Always kind, generous, and willing to guide and help in any capacity. God’s speed Mr. Kiralfy.
Kerry Stauffer

May 02, 2017

To the family. Your dad was my first boss and treated me as an equal. He will always be the most kindest man I’ve known and Nancy I’ll always cherish that you shared him with us. Gods speed Mr Kiralfy.

May 01, 2017

Always looked forward to Jerry’s Christmas day phone call and catching up on our families, we’ll miss the news. Both Jerry and Nancy made us feel like “family” when we visited, and their gracious hospitality will always be fondly remembered. Blessed am I for knowing Jerry as long as I have.

May 01, 2017

Mr. Kiralfy was a wonderful, kind and caring man. He was such a good influence on my life growing up. He and Nancy were a couple to look up to, the loved they shared was unmeasureable. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Kiralfy family. You father will not be forgotten.
Robin Gorton Dimitris

April 30, 2017

A real loss for Lititz. I looked up to Jerry and learned a lot working with him and Bernie in the Park in the late ’70’s. Thoughts and prayers to the family but, really, congratulations on a life well lived.
Todd Myers and family, Cadtle Rock, Colorado

April 30, 2017

Our deepest sympathy in hearing of uncle Jerry passing,hugs and prayers to aunt Nancy and all of the family. With much love, Jim,Christine,lee,cassie Wright

April 30, 2017

Condolence to the entire family, with special thoughts to my old friend, Jay. Diane Dombach

April 30, 2017

I give my blessings to Nancy and her family. A resident at Gretna Springs, I remember Jerry always with a smile and couldn’t do enough for others. You could see him every thursday volunteering picking up trash with other men and when he wasn’t able to go on his own the men would let Jerry ride in the truck ! He loved his lemon pie !!
He will be missed by so many !
Blessings to all of the family, Brenda Prout

April 30, 2017

Condolences to the entire Kiralfy family on the passing of Jerry, known as Mr. Kiralfy to me. Mr.Kiralfy was such a presence when growing up in Trinity EC Church. Mr Kiralfy always had the time to talk and listen to you. I remember spending a lot of time at his home with his daughter Kathy. Memories I will never forget.
God Bless All of You. May the Lord comfort you during this time of grieving.
Love to all the Kiralfy’s,
Heidi Fritz Minnich

April 30, 2017

Mr Kiralfy was a big influence on me when I was growing up as one of my Boy Scout Leaders. He was a fine man and the family should know that he was such a positive influence on so many young people. I also remember him as a friendly face at the Rec Center growing up as well. I thank God that I was lucky enough to know Mr. Kiralfy. Gary Snavely

April 30, 2017

He loved the people. I loved working with him at the lititz rec, it was one of my first jobs.He tought me so much about life and and told me i would be a teacher someday,well i teach sunday school for 1-5 years and loving it. Prayers to the family

Thank You so much Denise (Condida) OBrassill

Visitation: Tuesday, May 02, 2017; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM; Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory; 3110 Lititz Pike; Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >
Visitation: Wednesday, May 03, 2017; 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM; Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church; 44 E. Orange St; Lititz, PA
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >
Services: Wednesday, May 03, 2017; 11:00 AM; Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church; 44 E. Orange St; Lititz, PA
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >