Deacon Richard A. Horst

Deacon Richard A. Horst, 78, of Lower Alsace Township, died June 7, 2017, at the Reading Hospital.

Born in Shillington, he was a son of the late Richard W.T. and Carrie (Coldren) Horst.

He was a 1957 graduate of Governor Mifflin High School and attended Drexel University where he partied out in 1959.

Working in research, he was employed by Western Electric from 1959-1974; Scott Paper from 1974-1994; as a deacon he served at Wernersville State Hospital from 1980-2017 and St. Catharine of Siena R.C. Church for many years. He was the unofficial Mayor of 25th St.

Deacon Horst was a member of St. Catharine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Penn.

Deacon Horst will be remembered for many things such as: being proud of his ministry; always seeing life and living life with a sense of humor; his ability to bring people together to give them an appropriate sense of perspective; loving trips to Cape May and his crab cakes and most importantly being loved and respected by all who knew him.

He is survived by three children: Carolyn F. Horst, Brooklyn, NY; Julie Horst Natoli, Reading and Richard A., Jr., husband of Eleanor K. Horst, Milford; his sister, Vivian Deckman, New Hartford, NY; his grandson, Kadre and his faithful companion, Doodle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. in St Catharine of Siena R.C. Church, 4975 Boyertown Pike, Reading, PA 19606. Interment will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may call Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church. Contributions may be made to St. Catharine of Siena R.C. Church, 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA 19606 or the Catholic Social Agency, 400 Washington St., # 100, Reading, PA 19601. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.