Alvin Kemp

Alvin "Barney" Kemp, 92, of Wyomissing, passed away peacefully Friday, December 7, 2018, at Reading Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born August 26, 1926, in Reading, Barney was the oldest son of the late Samuel M. and Ella M. (Fritz) Kemp. He was married for 52 years to Irene (Druzba) Kemp, who passed in 1999.

Barney served our nation proudly in the US Army during World War II. Following honorable discharge, he worked primarily as a truck driver for the former Textile Chemical, Reading. His love for the chemical industry stayed with him after retirement, and his favorite hobby was to recondition used 55 gallon drums.

Barney was quite the character and had a terrific sense of humor. He enjoyed casino trips with his wife, old Westerns on TV, and football, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles and Penn State Nittany Lions. Barney was a charter member of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Whitfield.

Barney is survived by his son Richard, husband of Frances, Wyomissing, and daughter Maryanne, with whom he resided. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Steven R. Kemp, Heather Murray, Tyler R. Simons, and David Simons Jr., as well as four great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Robert Kemp, and sisters Mary Jane Stieff and Anna Eiffert.

Barney was predeceased by a grandson Cory B. Simons, his brothers Samuel Kemp, Jr., and Charles Wahl, and his sister Jane Donahue.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30AM on Friday, December 14 at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 2810 St. Albans Drive, Sinking Spring. Entombment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to Mass, from 10:30-11:30am at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barney's honor may be made to the American Diabetes Association at donations.diabetes.org.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.