Gail “Bill” William Kite, 88, of New Bremen, Ohio, passed away peacefully at his residence, late in the evening of his birth date, August 2, 2024, following 15 years of multiple myeloma.
He was born August 2, 1936, in Westville, Ohio, to the late Dale & Nellie (Falkner) Kite. On Aug.17, 1958, at Urbana United Methodist Church, Bill married Joyce (Henry) Kite who preceded him in death on June 18, 2001. On June 29, 2003, Bill married Clara Fisher Langenkamp who survives.
Also surviving are Bill’s five children: Eric & Kelly Kite of Bellefontaine, Aaron & Linda Kite of Bellefontaine, Karen Moon and friend Steve Cooper of Bellefontaine, Craig & Stacy Kite of Bellefontaine and Kristen & Scott Rose of Rockmart, GA, along with seven grandchildren: Abby Kite; Sara Kite and Laura & Garry White; Ashley & Cody Martin and Alison & Adam Hatfield; Tyler Rose and Tayler & Gavin Block and three great-grandchildren: Sidney Hatfield, Penelope Martin and Walker White; two siblings, Linda Weymouth of Springfield, Douglas Kite of Springfield and a brother-in-law, Ed Eckhart of Orlando, FL, as well as Clara’s ten children: Sharon & Bob Hibner of Coldwater, Joyce & Tony Bornhorst of Fort Loramie, Sandy & Brad Garmann of Minster, Dave & Jeannie Langenkamp of Carmel, IN, Phyllis & Chuck Kremer of Minster, Jim & Marci Langenkamp of Russia, Susan Flamm of Troy, Tom Langenkamp of Springboro, Debra Langenkamp of Silver Spring, MD, and Jill & Tim York of Russia as well as Clara’s 35 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Helen Puthoff of Wapakoneta and Virginia Beckert of Piqua along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two siblings, Joyce Eckhart, Keith Kite and several brothers & sisters-in-law: Charles “Chuck” Weymouth, Kathy Kite, Arthur & Kathleen Fisher, Bill Puthoff, Bill Beckert and Mary & Vernon Hecht.
Mr. Kite was a 1954 graduate of Concord (Graham) Local School in Eris near Urbana. In 1999, he retired as general supervisor of construction from The Shelly Company (Northwood Asphalt) of Thornville, where he had been employed 45 years. He previously worked for the Ohio Department of Transportation of Sidney for seven years. He was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and was a 40 year – active member of the former Elks Lodge Post 132 of Bellefontaine.
Bill was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan and lifelong Cleveland Browns fan. Bill also enjoyed motorcycle rides, golf, following his grandchildren’s activities as well as several retirement years in Florida with Clara. More recently, Bill delighted in the opportunity to shadow the operations of the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office with his good friend Larry Dicke. He really enjoyed watching the York boys play for the Russia Raiders. Bill was a “can do” kind of guy and could fix almost anything. He always took a genuine interest in people and wanted to know what they were doing and what was important in their lives. He never forgot a face. Over the last few years, Bill enjoyed the solitude of mowing grass on his John Deere tractor. He said it gave him time to think.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 17, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in New Bremen with Rev. Mark Hoying presiding. Family and friends may call from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. at the church entrance. A 2 p.m. family interment service will take place at Highland Cemetery (5591 St. Rt. 68 S., West Liberty).
Memorials may be made to the New Bremen Emergency Squad or Mercy Health Hospice (545 W. Market St., Suite 200, Lima, Ohio 45801). Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.
