Jerome M. KildeeLittle River, SCOn April 26, 2017, with his wife Florence by his side, Jerome Michael Kildee died peacefully at their home in South Carolina. Michael was born on June 2, 1943, in Corpus Christi, TX to Henry and Marie Kildee. Michael grew up in Lebanon, brought to the steel town by his father's service with the Veterans Administration. A graduate of Lebanon Catholic High School, he continued his studies earning his Bachelor of Science at Lebanon Valley College, playing football at both schools. Michael formed many life-long friendships in Lebanon that grew stronger as his education and career took him across the country. Michael earned his DMD at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. After dental school, he moved to Washington, DC, where he practiced dentistry at the District of Columbia General Hospital and also provided classroom instruction for the Capital City School of Nursing (CCSN). There he met his first wife, Barbara (Horvat), herself a nursing instructor for CCSN. They were married in October 1970. By way of Philadelphia, Michael and Barbara made their home in Hammondsport, NY. Michael established a thriving dental practice, appropriately housed in an historic railroad station. During this time they were blessed with two daughters, Maura and Brigid. In 1985 the family moved to Omaha, NE, where Michael practiced at the Veterans Administration (VA) and taught at Creighton University. In 1996 he transferred to the VA in El Paso, TX, to serve as Chief of the Dental Service. After distinguished careers in health care, Michael and Barbara retired to Lebanon. There they spent time with old friends, including regular Friday lunches in town and becoming active members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Cornwall. After a brief illness, Barbara died in August 2014. Love found Michael a second time. Along with their combined families, Michael and Florence celebrated their marriage in Corning, NY, on January 4, 2015. After first settling in Lebanon, they moved last summer to Little River, SC. There they enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and proximity to daughter, Maureen and her husband, Mickey. Michael was blessed with the "Kildee wit," which he shared generously with family and friends, as well as the occasional unwitting stranger or caregiver. New places and different cultures intrigued him, and Michael shared this love for travel with both Barbara and Florence. But for all his wanderlust, Michael enjoyed no trip more than that which led him to family. He cherished spending time with his children, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Barbara, Michael was predeceased by his sister, Patricia Anita Walsh; and brother, Brian Thomas Kildee. He is survived by wife, Florence Kildee; daughters, Maura (Terry) Carolan, Brigid (Jason) Gatchell, Brenda (Kenneth) McBride-Piazza, Maureen (Michael) Pierotti; and son, Brian McBride. Michael will also be missed by his grandchildren, Elyn and Nash Carolan, Izabella Gatchell, Laura and Anna Piazza, Megan and Cordelia McBride, Meegan Pierotti-Tietje and Mikenna Pierotti-Townsend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 19 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 2596 Cornwall Road, Cornwall. There will be a visitation hour from 9 to 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Savior Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local chapter of the . Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at our online guestbook at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com