Dr. John Kiraly, Jr.

Dr. John Kiraly, Jr., age 88, passed away Friday, January 22, 2021, at the Medical Center of Bowling Green, KY.

The Wallingford, Connecticut, native was born August 26, 1932 to the late John Kiraly, Sr. and Pearl (Kovac) Kiraly. His parents were immigrants from Hungary.

John was a retired Education Professor having taught at The University of Iowa (20 years) and Western Kentucky University (16 years). He obtained his Ph.D. from The University of Minnesota. He loved the outdoors and riding his motorcycle. While living in Iowa and through the mid 1990’s, John and Barbara made many trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota when John had a cabin on Loon Lake. Later adventures included trips to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the Maritime Provinces in Canada. He was a proud veteran, serving in the United States Marine Corps. John attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Bowling Green. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Jean (Kiraly) Smith; and his sister-in-law, Carolyn Kacer.

Memories of him will be cherished by his wife of 33 years, Barbara Kacer (daughter of the late Louis and Helen Kacer, Tama), whom he wed in Iowa City, Iowa; his brothers-in-law, Jim Kacer and Jerry Smith; and a host of family and dear friends.

A funeral Mass was held on February 3, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial will be at a later date in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Tama, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations in John’s memory to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or your local animal shelter.