Jerome E. Kleisath

Jerome E. ‘Jerry’ Kleisath, 87, of Little York, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 8, 2022. 

He was born on April 4, 1935 in Smethport, PA, the son of Alfred and Eva Mattison Kleisath. Jerry worked on the family farm in Smethport all of his childhood.

After graduating from Smethport High School class of 1953, he went on to received his BS in Agricultural Economics in 1957 from Penn State University.

He worked for Agricultural Extension as 4-H club leader before being drafted into the Army, there he was stationed at Fort Detrick and did research in Chemical Warfare.

After being discharged from the Army in 1960 he worked for Hercules Powder Company doing research on combating destructive crop damage from insects. Later he worked for Agway as chemical plant manager in Lyons, NY and chemical division specialist for Agway in Syracuse, NY.

He relocated to Preble, NY in 1975 to work at the Agway Farm Research Center located in Fabius, NY where he retired in 1992.

Jerry and his late wife Kaye truly enjoyed traveling around the country, after his retirement they traveled to all 50 states, most of which were in his Winnebago.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Kaye Kleisath in 2009 and a brother, Paul Kleisath.

Jerry is survived by two sons, Kevin (Hope) Kleisath of Preble, who is retired from the United States Coast Guard and David Kleisath of Cortland; two granddaughters, Reganne of Hammond, LA and Madison at home in Preble.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, 14 Copeland Ave., Homer, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Dennis Walker. Interment, with Military Honors, will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Smethport, PA on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions in Jerry’s memory may be made to Jerry and Kaye Kleisath Memorial Scholarship, Office of Gift Planning, 212 The 103 Building, University Park, PA 16802.

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