Nathan Daniel Warke

Nathan Daniel “Nate” Warke, 34, of Allentown, formerly of Kutztown, died suddenly on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, as a result of an automobile accident in Allentown .

Born in Allentown, he was a son of Jonathan S. and Jane E. (Masenheimer) Warke of Kutztown. Nathan was a 1998 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown, where he was an outstanding and accomplished All-Conference offensive center and defensive end on several of their football teams. Awarded Central Catholic Athlete of the week, he was a major contributor to the success of the 1996 PIAA Eastern Final team and 1997 East Penn Conference and District 11 title teams. He was also a member of Central Catholic's wrestling team, where he was 22-6 and finished sixth in District 11 as a junior. During his senior year, he was named into the East Penn Conference's All Star Squad. After high school, Nathan attended Merrimack College, North Andover, MA, on a football scholarship, where he was a member of a SportsFest flag football championship team in 2001. Nathan then transferred to Kutztown University, graduating in January of 2009, receiving his Bachelor of Fine Art degree. While attending KU, he was a member and star player of the Men's Rugby Team.

He was currently employed as a table games dealer by Sands Casino, Bethlehem, for over two years. Previously, Nathan was employed as a bartender by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Kutztown; Heeby's Surplus, Inc., Blandon, and as a counselor at KidsPeace, Schnecksville, for over eight years. He was a member, and past president of the Fraternal  Order of Eagles, Ae rie 839, Kutztown; a member of Lehigh Lodge #326, F. & A.M., Macungie; Kutztown Rod and Gun Club; and the Kutztown Fire Company. He also ran in several of the annual Kutztown Optimist Club's Fool's Day Run. Nate's smile, laugh, and "larger th an life" personality was infectious. Everybody he knew wanted to be around him. You could always find him surrounded by his friends. His sister even referred to him as the "Mayor of Kutztown." Nathan was an avid supporter, and loved to attend the football games and wrestling matches of his nephews. He was a significant part of birthday parties, holiday festivities, and ice skating on his family pond. Some of Nathan's favorite places included Cape Hatteras, NC; and the beach. An avid fisherman and hunter, Nate was also a diehard Denver Broncos and John Elway fan. He knew every statistic of every football game or player. Nathan was a wonderful son, brother, and uncle, who was loyal, supportive, energetic, strong, sensitive, honest, genuine, trustworthy, caring, protective, warm hearted, chivalrous person with a great sense of humor. He was "one of a kind," and "was the combination of the best of us all."

He is survived by Parents; Sister, Laura J. (Warke), wife of Mark W. Miller, Kempton; and their children, Mason, Mitchell, and McCoy; Brother, Jeremy J., husband of Lynn M. (Jankowski) Warke, Auburn, Schuylkill County; and their children, Augustus, Alexandra, Adalynn and Jonathan; Brother, Travis J. Warke, Kempton and his son, Logan; Brother, Jesse T. Warke, Allentown; Maternal Grandmother, Ellen M. (Lentz) Masenheimer, Allentown. His Nephew, Caleb Warke predeceased him .

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown. Interment will follow in Zion's Cemetery of Perry Township. Relatives and friends may call Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Wednesday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in the funeral home .

The family requests contributions be made to Nathan Daniel Warke Memorial Fund, c/o Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., P.O. Box 292, Kutztown, PA  19530-0292 . Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.