Obituary for Eugene M. Kilgore
EUGENE M. KILGORE, 90 of Airville, PA, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2023 in The Glen at Willow Valley, Lancaster, PA with his beloved wife, Doris E. (Pomraning) Kilgore at his side. Married a day later than planned due to a snow blizzard, the ceremony took place on November 8, 1953 with guests as well as the bridal party arriving on sleds. Gene and Doris shared nearly 70 years of marriage.
Born on February 5, 1933 at home in Woodbine, he was one of two sons born to the late Emory M. Kilgore and Mabelle (Jenness) Kilgore. Gene graduated from the Lower Chanceford High School in 1950. Gene had a love for agriculture, was a dairy farmer for 25 years and at one time milked a purebred herd of Guernsey cows. He was a member of the American Guernsey Cattle Club, the Holstein-Friesian Association, past president and member of the Red Lion Young Farmers, past secretary of the Conservation Society of York County and past president of the York County Agriculture Extension. Furthermore, his community involvement included serving on the Agway Petroleum Board, the Red Lion School Board and Cubmaster of pack #42 of Lower Chanceford. Gene was very active with the Mason-Dixon Lions Club having served as president and secretary, was past region and zone chairman, cabinet secretary of District 14C Lions and chairman of the Recycling Eyeglass project for District 14C. Gene was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award – an award given for outstanding service.
Gene was all about giving back and served as past director, treasurer and hall manager of the Airville Volunteer Fire Company. He served as a volunteer at York Hospital and as a judge for canned goods at the York Fair, Maryland State Fair, Dillsburg Fair and Maxon-Dixon Fair. In addition to farming, Gene worked for the USPS for over 25 years - first as a mail carrier and then as postmaster for the former Airville Post Office. He was a member and past president of the NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees.) Gene was a devoted Christian. A lifetime member of Chanceford Presbyterian Church, he had served as an elder, trustee, clerk of sessions, choir member and cemetery manager of the adjoining church cemetery. In conclusion, when you saw Gene – you saw Doris. They were always side by side in life serving as an example of a longtime love and marriage. His wife, Doris remarked that she will miss traveling and mowing the yard together. Gene was devoted to family, church and community; his smile and dedication to others will be missed.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by:
A son, Douglas E. Kilgore (Pam) of Airville, PA
Three grandchildren-
Rebecca Levinson (Frank) of Syracuse, IN
Raechel Sattazahn (Douglas) of Womelsdorf, PA
Christopher Kilgore (Andrea) of Airville, PA
Seven great grandchildren-Henry, Francine and Alice Levinson; Easton and Audrey Sattazahn; Paisley and Lonnie Kilgore.
Sister-in-law, Duane Kilgore, two nieces and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah R. Kilgore on July 13, 2000, and brother, William T. Kilgore on February 4, 2020.
In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate memorial contributions to:
Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125; Cancer Care Associates of York 25 Monument Road, Suite 294, York, PA 17403; Chanceford Presbyterian Church, PO Box 56, Airville, PA 17302; Mason-Dixon Lions Club, % Dutch Welker, 88 Poplar View Road, Delta, PA 17314.
Born on February 5, 1933 at home in Woodbine, he was one of two sons born to the late Emory M. Kilgore and Mabelle (Jenness) Kilgore. Gene graduated from the Lower Chanceford High School in 1950. Gene had a love for agriculture, was a dairy farmer for 25 years and at one time milked a purebred herd of Guernsey cows. He was a member of the American Guernsey Cattle Club, the Holstein-Friesian Association, past president and member of the Red Lion Young Farmers, past secretary of the Conservation Society of York County and past president of the York County Agriculture Extension. Furthermore, his community involvement included serving on the Agway Petroleum Board, the Red Lion School Board and Cubmaster of pack #42 of Lower Chanceford. Gene was very active with the Mason-Dixon Lions Club having served as president and secretary, was past region and zone chairman, cabinet secretary of District 14C Lions and chairman of the Recycling Eyeglass project for District 14C. Gene was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award – an award given for outstanding service.
Gene was all about giving back and served as past director, treasurer and hall manager of the Airville Volunteer Fire Company. He served as a volunteer at York Hospital and as a judge for canned goods at the York Fair, Maryland State Fair, Dillsburg Fair and Maxon-Dixon Fair. In addition to farming, Gene worked for the USPS for over 25 years - first as a mail carrier and then as postmaster for the former Airville Post Office. He was a member and past president of the NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees.) Gene was a devoted Christian. A lifetime member of Chanceford Presbyterian Church, he had served as an elder, trustee, clerk of sessions, choir member and cemetery manager of the adjoining church cemetery. In conclusion, when you saw Gene – you saw Doris. They were always side by side in life serving as an example of a longtime love and marriage. His wife, Doris remarked that she will miss traveling and mowing the yard together. Gene was devoted to family, church and community; his smile and dedication to others will be missed.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by:
A son, Douglas E. Kilgore (Pam) of Airville, PA
Three grandchildren-
Rebecca Levinson (Frank) of Syracuse, IN
Raechel Sattazahn (Douglas) of Womelsdorf, PA
Christopher Kilgore (Andrea) of Airville, PA
Seven great grandchildren-Henry, Francine and Alice Levinson; Easton and Audrey Sattazahn; Paisley and Lonnie Kilgore.
Sister-in-law, Duane Kilgore, two nieces and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah R. Kilgore on July 13, 2000, and brother, William T. Kilgore on February 4, 2020.
In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate memorial contributions to:
Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125; Cancer Care Associates of York 25 Monument Road, Suite 294, York, PA 17403; Chanceford Presbyterian Church, PO Box 56, Airville, PA 17302; Mason-Dixon Lions Club, % Dutch Welker, 88 Poplar View Road, Delta, PA 17314.