Karl F. Wenger Jr.

Karl F. Wenger, Jr. 78, of Bedford, PA was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on August 12, 2023, at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh after a three and a half month battle with leukemia. He was born on October 12, 1944, in Lynchburg, VA, son of the late Dr. Karl F. Wenger and Naureene (Springer) Wenger.

On January 4, 1980, Karl married Kathie Miller, who survives him. Together they raised four children: Kimberly, married to Dr. Brian Parkin, of Ovieto, FL; Erik, married to Melissa Naper, of Bedford, PA; Kevin, of Bedford, PA; and David, married to Carly Brown, of Duluth, MN. They have twelve grandchildren and twin grandsons due in October. Also surviving is Karl’s sister, Karlynn Bucher, married to Dr. Bruce Bucher, of Tappahannock, VA.

Karl has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maine and an MBA from Florida State. He served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 1965 to Feb. 1968, spending one year in Germany. He had a long career in military and drug intelligence. One of the highlights of his career was working with the Multinational Force and Observers, where he spent two years in Rome, Italy and one year in the Sinai Desert. Also, just prior to his retirement in 2010, he spent nine months working at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq in the Rule of Law office. Karl was always known on the job as a “can-do kind of guy.”

In 1985, Karl fulfilled a lifelong dream of building his own home with the help of his brother-in- law, Brian Miller. His family has lived in that home ever since. Karl had a great interest in ham radio and just last year earned his Extra Class Ham Radio License. He loved to camp and hike in the woods. He read widely and was knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics. He enjoyed smoking a cigar and talking politics with his friend, Rick McVicker.

Karl surrendered his life to Jesus on May 3, 2023, and could never get over the grace that was extended to him by his heavenly Father. His favorite hymn was Amazing Grace played on bagpipes. His faith remained strong through his illness and he was truly amazed at the love and support shown by both family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 17, 2023 in the Chapel at Akers Funeral Home in Everett. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service at the Akers Funeral Home, Inc. 299 Raystown Road, Everett, PA 15537.  

Burial will be held at St. Paul’s Reformed Cemetery, Bedford with full military honors by the Everett Area Honor Guard.  

Online condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralhome.com.  

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