Carl F. Straka

Carl Francis Straka, 96, of Exeter Township, died July 19, 2012 in St. Joseph Medical Center, Bern Township.

He was the husband of Dorothy Teresa (Harcar) Straka, whom he married April 26, 1975.

Born in Reading, PA on January 16, 1916, he was a son of the late Morris Sr., and Mary (Andras) Straka.

He attended Mt. Penn High School.

Carl was an Army Veteran of WWII where he served with the Corp of Engineers #1276, spending his first three years in Reykjavic, Iceland and the rest of his time in the European Campaign, finishing his service in the Battle of the Bulge.

He was a life member of the Stonersville Fire Company, helping to pay for the first fire truck purchased for the company.

Carl was a member of SS Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church.

He was employed 27 years as a knitter with the Berkshire Knitting Mills and later for five years with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Co (Birdsboro Furnace).

Carl was last employed 15 years with Carpenter Technology, Reading, retiring February 1, 1981.

He is survived by his sister, Dorothy (Straka), widow of Fred Burkholder of Exeter Township.

Other survivors include three nieces: Maryann Weglarz, Carol Pilgrim and Cindy Burkholder and six nephews: John Antush, Edward Straka, William Heffner, Carl Heffner, Michael Straka and Ronald Straka.

He was predeceased by six siblings: Mary Heffner, Cecelia Showers, Agnes Antush, Morris Straka, Richard Straka and William Straka and one niece, Rose Ann Hudson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:00 am in SS Cyril & Methodius R.C. Church, 449 S Sixth St, Reading. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 8:30 - 9:30 am in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1541 Alta Drive, #204, Whitehall, PA 18052. For online condolences, visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com