John M. Kitson, Sr., 97, of The Villages, Florida and Bendertown, died Sunday, January 14, 2018 at the Villages Regional Hospital in Florida.

Born May 5, 1920 in Towson, MD, he was a son of the late William Edward Kitson and Florence Innocence (Young) Kitson. 

John graduated from Arts High School, Newark, NJ, Class of 1937.  He lived in Newark, NJ through his younger years.  John proudly served in the US Army and is a World War II Veteran.  He was wounded in Gela, Sicily and received the Purple Heart Medal. 

John was employed by Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery and Hoffman Beverage Company as a truck mechanic; Kitson Chevrolet Auto Dealership in Long Branch, NJ; and Schwartz Auto Dealership in Red Bank, NJ where he retired in 1983.

John resided in Newark, NJ; Metuchen, NJ; the Poconos, PA; and Hazlet, NJ.  He and his wife moved to Bendertown, PA in 1988 where John was an active member of the St. James Church.  While in Bendertown, he and his wife hosted an exercise group.  The group met in their basement 3 days a week in order to stay active and healthy, which was very important to John.

John loved to share jokes and tell stories.  He was the life of the party wherever he went and was considered a hero to many people in need.  He will be missed and loved by all who had the privilege to know him.

John is survived by his wife of 72 years Blanche Evelyn (Smith) Kitson; a son John M. Kitson, Jr. (Deveda), Parkersburg, WV; daughter Becky E. Webb (David), Brick, NJ; daughter Jeanne E. Macciocca (Donald, Sr.), The Villages, FL; sister Kathryn Yost, Toms River, NJ, and sister-in-law Ann Kitson, Old Bridge, NJ. 

John is also survived by his grandchildren:  Scott, Todd, Dawn, John III, Raymond, Kelly, Stacy, John, and Donald Jr.; 17 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by son Richard F. Kitson and daughter-in-law Melody A. Kitson; and siblings Florence Wilson, Louise Duda, William Kitson, Edward Kitson, and Arthur (Bob) Kitson. 

The Viewing will be Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 10 AM at the Jonestown United Methodist Church, Ridge Road, Orangeville. The Funeral Service will follow at 11 AM at the Church.  Burial will be in St. James Cemetery with military honors accorded by the local Veterans group.  A luncheon will follow at the Jonestown Church.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Salvation Army or St. Jude's Research Hospital.  Arrangements are under the direction of the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., Benton.  For online condolences or for additional information, please visit:  www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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