Edward Joseph Kikla – Delray Beach, Fla.

Edward Joseph Kikla, 85, of Delray Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on March 16, 2025. Born on Jan. 31, 1940, in Monongahela, Ed had a remarka ble youth as a talented baseball pitcher. He led his hometown Little League team to a Pennsylvania state championship in 1952, earning a place in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. There, his team made it to the championship game but fell in the final inning to Norwalk, Conn. Two years later, Ed and several teammates from that Little League squad wrote a new chapter in Monongahela’s baseball history. They went on to win the Pony League World Series in Washington, Pa., triumphing over teams from major cities like San Antonio, Texas, and Beverly Hills, Calif., before defeating Chicago 8-2 in the championship game. During the series, Ed delivered standout performances, including a record-setting 18-strikeout game against San Antonio. Ed’s contributions to Mon Valley baseball were featured in an Aug. 18, 2021, article in the Mon Valley Independent titled, “Kikla one of the Valley’s greatest on the Diamond,” followed by the 2021 PBS documentary, “The Baseball Boys of Mon City.” Ed continued his baseball journey at Penn State on a scholarship, where he went undefeated as a sophomore, winning nine games and helping the team reach the College World Series. His baseball accomplishments earned him recognition in the Penn State All Sports Museum. Ed signed a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played in their minor league program for four years. Feeling it was time to move on from baseball, Ed started a career in sales and marketing, eventually joining the Bureau of National Affairs in Pittsburgh as a sales rep. He worked his way up the ranks to become sales manager for the eastern region. After 30 years, he retired in 2000 and relocated to Delray Beach, Fla., enjoying golf and the resort lifestyle at Gleneagles Country Club. In retirement, Ed kept up a routine of playing golf, meeting his friends for lunch and punctually showing up during the week for cocktails. Ed was a devoted husband to Emilie Santini Kikla. He first saw Emilie singing in a Pittsburgh club and fell in love with her and her wonderful voice. Her rendition of “Mama” was his favorite song. They shared 49 years of marriage. In addition to Emilie, he is survived by his loving brothers, Sam Kikla and Jerry Kikla; sister-inlaw, Julane “Pixie” Kikla; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by brother, Larry; and sister, Bercie. The family will hold a private memorial service to celebrate Ed’s life.