Alan Lee Kitzmiller, 78, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at his home surrounded by the love of his family.
Born December 2, 1947, in Mansfield, Alan was the son of the late Albert L. Kitzmiller and Florence (Moyer) Kitzmiller. He graduated from Ontario High School with the Class of 1966 and went on to live a life defined by hard work, determination, and an unwavering commitment to providing for those he loved.
Alan worked for a short time at Westinghouse before beginning a long career with Beer Construction as a bricklayer. He took great pride in his work and was especially proud to have helped build the fireplace at Mohican Lodge alongside his cousin, Fred Beer. A hardworking provider, Alan was never one to sit still. During the construction off-season, he worked a variety of jobs, including at Sam’s Club, always finding a way to stay busy and provide for his family.
On November 18, 2005, Alan married the love of his life, Glenda (Dixon) Kitzmiller. Together, they shared many years filled with family, laughter, projects, adventures, and plenty of treasures brought home from his latest bargain-hunting expedition.
Scrapping was more than just a hobby for Alan—it was a passion. He loved searching for copper and brass and could often be found in his shop tearing things apart and working on one project or another. Sometimes, he would stay up all night immersed in his latest project. To Glenda’s occasional chagrin, his enthusiasm for collecting and scrapping could sometimes make the yard resemble a junkyard—but Alan always knew there was value to be found where others might not see it.
His passion for finding a bargain took him to countless garage sales and auctions, and he occasionally held sales of his own as he bought and resold his treasures. Alan was a remarkably convincing negotiator and loved the challenge of talking someone into a better price.
Alan also loved bingo and casino trips. A devoted bingo player, he could play as many as seven days a week and was known to manage an impressive 36 cards at one time. He enjoyed traveling on bus trips to Cherokee, South Carolina, where he could combine his love of travel with a little gambling and fun.
He enjoyed raising animals, especially pigs, and took great satisfaction in the simple pleasures of life. His favorite foods included bacon and steak, and he had a particular fondness for SoBe drinks. When they were discontinued, Alan traveled far and wide searching for them, determined to build up a supply of his favorite beverage.
Alan was known for being stern on the outside but soft as a marshmallow on the inside. He could be stubborn, convincing, mischievous, and sarcastic, and those who knew him best loved him for every bit of it. When asked about his greatest accomplishments, Alan would likely have said raising his family and remodeling his farmhouse. He was a man who took pride in what he built, whether it was with his own hands or through the life he created for those he loved.
Above all, Alan was the kind of man who was always willing to lend a hand. He would be there to help anybody and everybody who needed him, often putting his own plans aside to help someone else. His generosity and willingness to work were simply part of who he was.
He is survived by his loving wife, Glenda Prendergast Kitzmiller; children, Lee Kitzmiller, Jason Kitzmiller and Scott Grogg, Brandy Kitzmiller, Ashley (Andy) Kniceley, Michael Prendergast and Lily Pugh, Kayla (Matthew) Tackett, and Abigail “Abbey” Kitzmiller; his grandchildren, Kaitlyn Kitzmiller, Becca Miller (Charles Terry), Scott Miller, Jackson Kniceley, Junior Pugh, Bentley Tackett, Izabella Tackett, and Thomas Tackett; and his great-grandchildren, Niklaus, Bonnie, Madyson, and Anna-Marie Miller.
He is also survived by his brother, Jim Kitzmiller; sister, Jeanne Maglott; mother-in-law, Janie Dixon; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leonard and Amanda Dixon; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Alan was preceded in death by his siblings, Robert Eugene Moyer, Patricia Ann Matney, Sandra Irene Yunker, and Shirley Mae Cunningham; his grandson, Hunter Alan Tackett; father-in-law, Glen Dixon; nephews, Albert Leroy McCrea and William Kitzmiller; sister-in-law, Linda Kitzmiller; and brothers-in-law, Gail Spring and Larry Matney.
Alan’s family will remember him as a hardworking man with a stubborn streak, a mischievous sense of humor, and a heart much softer than he sometimes let on. Whether he was tearing apart a piece of scrap, searching for the perfect bargain, playing a roomful of bingo cards, or showing up to help someone in need, Alan lived life entirely in his own unforgettable way.
Friends may call Wednesday, September 2, 2026 from 5pm- 8pm in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home where calling continues Thursday morning from 10am to 11:30 am. The funeral service will begin at 11:30 am with celebrant Dave Roberts officiating. Alan will be buried in Mansfield Cemetery near his grandson Hunter Tackett.
Memorial donations may be made directly to Glenda to be applied to a meaningful remembrance to be selected by the family.
The Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kitzmiller family and encourage messages by visiting snyderfuneralhomes.com
Funeral Home: Bellville Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com