Carl R Mest

Carl R. Mest, 82, of Smyrna , DE , formerly Kutztown, died Sunday, January 18, 2015, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Katharine L. (Katz) Mest whom he married August 5, 1961 .

Born in Kutztown, he was a son of the late Rufus D. and Emma M. (Seidel) Mest. Carl was a member of Saint John's Lutheran Church, Kutztown. A 1951 graduate of Kutztown Area High School, Carl was a United States Air Force veteran serving during the Korean War. Mr. Mest worked as an automobile mechanic and parts manager at the former Nothstein Ford, former Mente Chevrolet - Oldsmobile, former Allentown Chrysler - Plymouth and former Held's Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth Dealerships. He was also employed as a custodian by the Brandywine Heights Area School District, Topton, until his retirement in 1994. Carl enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed the Phillies, Eagles, 76'ers and Kutztown University Basketball .

He is survived by Wife Kathy; Daughter, Carole A. (Mest) Bowersox Streifthau, wife of Alan R. Streifthau, Dover, DE; Son, Robert C. Mest, companion of Alex O'Brien, Richmond Township.  Other survivors include a Brother, Ryly J., husband of Elizabeth A. (Hauck) Mest, Kutztown; Sisters, Arlene M. (Mest), widow of Benneville S. Burkert, Blandon, June E. (Mest), wife of David W. Kemmerer, Temple, Nancy F. (Mest), widow of Earl L. Albrecht and Christine M. (Mest), widow of Richard D. Border, companion of Joel Eisenhower, all of Kutztown. There are 4 Grandchildren, Krysten M., Kenneth J., Jr., companion of Amber R. Frushon, Kory M. and Kole P. Bowersox.  Carl was predeceased by Sisters, Ruth M. (Mest) Rohrbach, Marie E. (Mest) Sanders and Lina L. (Mest) Hill .

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:30 AM from Saint John's Lutheran Church, 201 East Main Street, Kutztown, with Reverend Mary Ann Hamm, officiating. Interment will follow in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown. Relatives and friends may call Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in the church .

The family requests contributions to John Hopkin's University Hospital Kidney Transplant Organization, 750 E. Pratt St., 17th Floor, Baltimore, MD  21202 . Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.