North Huntingdon man remembered for love of history

When Irwin prepared to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2014, Jerry Kyslinger was there with his pen, ready to capture the memories.

Helping to write “Irwin Then & Now,” the North Huntingdon resident traveled to various nursing homes, scanning pictures provided by residents to show before and after shots of the borough. He also helped to restore Irwin’s Lamp Theatre.

But his desire to learn about history didn’t end there.

An avid lover of trains, Kyslinger spent time building model trains, and co-founded the Mon Yough Trail Council, which maintains the 15-mile stretch locals call the Boston Trail.

Mr. Jerry A. Kyslinger, 77, of North Huntingdon, died Wednesday, June 26, 2019 after a battle with cancer.

He was the son of Jerry and Elizabeth Kyslinger.

Raising six kids, Mr. Kyslinger founded two guides — how to repair a car and how to pack, said daughter Kathleen Kyslinger.

“You couldn’t leave home unless you knew how to change a tire, check your oil, check you fluids. You had to know,” she said, adding that he called it Kyslinger 101 car maintenance.

And he instilled those values in his grandchildren, Kyslinger said.

A lover of cars, Mr. Kyslinger taught his grandson, Austin, maintenance and repair, a lesson Austin Kyslinger made into a career. Kathleen Kyslinger said her daughter, Autumn, learned a love of teaching from the history lessons given by Mr. Kyslinger and is now studying to be a secondary education teacher.

“My dad always gave me the encouragement,” Kathleen Kyslinger said. “He said, ‘Well go for it. You’re not going to know unless you try.’ He did the same thing with my kids. He always encouraged them to try new things.”

Mr. Kyslinger worked at Westinghouse for 28 years. An active member of the National Model Railroad Association, he often spent time building model trains. He was a member of the Dunbar and Irwin historical societies, and spent time building Legos and reading books.

“Legos never had an age limit, my dad said,” according to Kathleen Kyslinger.

In addition to his daughter and grandchildren, Mr. Kyslinger is survived by his children Ruthann Kyslinger, Diane Lewis, Patty Sue Kyslinger, Robert Kyslinger, and Heather Kyslinger; his grandchildren David Lewis, James Lewis, Adison Kyslinger, Molly Kyslinger and Brayden Kyslinger; and his great-grandchildren Nick and Nora Kyslinger.

Friends will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Ott Funeral Home, 805 Pennsylvania Ave., Irwin. Parting prayers will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church.

Donations can be made to The Mon Yough Trail Council.