It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of yet another member of the "Greatest Generation." Life-long Franklin resident William H. Karns III passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012, after 92 colorful years.
Born Sept. 7, 1919, in Oil City, he was the eldest child of William H. and Emilena (Reid) Karns Jr.
He was the brother of Adelaide (Karns) Blackhurst and the late Patricia (Karns) Bryden.
Bill attended Penn State University before joining the Army during World War II and serving in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning from the war, he became a pipefitter and was active in the Pipefitter's Union.
Bill was also a past exalted ruler and life member of the benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Franklin Lodge 110. Daily meetings with friends at the Lodge for coffee and cards kept his mind sharp and body active in his later years. For this his family is truly grateful.
Secondary to serving his country, one of his proudest accomplishments was being inducted into the National Voting Hall of Fame.
Bill and Bettie Jean (Quinn) Karns were married in May 1942 and Bettie Jean preceded him in death in 1984. He was also predeceased by his only son, William H. Karns IV.
Surviving are his daughters, Pamela Karns (Michael) Kowalczyk (with whom he lived), Cheryl Karns (Robert) Hoffman; and his daughter-in-law Nancy (Sheffer) Karns.
He is also survived by grandchildren: Juli Conrad (Terry) Bossert, William "Billy" (Shannon) Karns V, Benjamin (Lora) Karns, Bevan Bresnahan, Alison Bresnahan and Michele (Kowalczyk) Giallonardo.
Bill believed that he was extremely blessed to have had a loving relationship with his great-grandchildren: Hannah, Eric and Reid Bossert, Elizabeth Karns, Kadin and Quinlyn Karns, and David and Matthew Giallonardo.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he truly cherished. In addition, Bill is survived by his long-time, much loved companion June O'Polka.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Church in Franklin with Monsignor John J. Herbein, presiding.
Interment with full military honors rendered by VETS Honor Guard will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Oil City.
The Derrick: April 5, 2012
Born Sept. 7, 1919, in Oil City, he was the eldest child of William H. and Emilena (Reid) Karns Jr.
He was the brother of Adelaide (Karns) Blackhurst and the late Patricia (Karns) Bryden.
Bill attended Penn State University before joining the Army during World War II and serving in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning from the war, he became a pipefitter and was active in the Pipefitter's Union.
Bill was also a past exalted ruler and life member of the benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Franklin Lodge 110. Daily meetings with friends at the Lodge for coffee and cards kept his mind sharp and body active in his later years. For this his family is truly grateful.
Secondary to serving his country, one of his proudest accomplishments was being inducted into the National Voting Hall of Fame.
Bill and Bettie Jean (Quinn) Karns were married in May 1942 and Bettie Jean preceded him in death in 1984. He was also predeceased by his only son, William H. Karns IV.
Surviving are his daughters, Pamela Karns (Michael) Kowalczyk (with whom he lived), Cheryl Karns (Robert) Hoffman; and his daughter-in-law Nancy (Sheffer) Karns.
He is also survived by grandchildren: Juli Conrad (Terry) Bossert, William "Billy" (Shannon) Karns V, Benjamin (Lora) Karns, Bevan Bresnahan, Alison Bresnahan and Michele (Kowalczyk) Giallonardo.
Bill believed that he was extremely blessed to have had a loving relationship with his great-grandchildren: Hannah, Eric and Reid Bossert, Elizabeth Karns, Kadin and Quinlyn Karns, and David and Matthew Giallonardo.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he truly cherished. In addition, Bill is survived by his long-time, much loved companion June O'Polka.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Church in Franklin with Monsignor John J. Herbein, presiding.
Interment with full military honors rendered by VETS Honor Guard will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Oil City.
The Derrick: April 5, 2012
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of yet another member of the "Greatest Generation." Life-long Franklin resident William H. Karns III passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012, after 92 colorful years.
Born Sept. 7, 1919, in Oil City, he was the eldest child of William H. and Emilena (Reid) Karns Jr.
He was the brother of Adelaide (Karns) Blackhurst and the late Patricia (Karns) Bryden.
Bill attended Penn State University before joining the Army during World War II and serving in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning from the war, he became a pipefitter and was active in the Pipefitter's Union.
Bill was also a past exalted ruler and life member of the benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Franklin Lodge 110. Daily meetings with friends at the Lodge for coffee and cards kept his mind sharp and body active in his later years. For this his family is truly grateful.
Secondary to serving his country, one of his proudest accomplishments was being inducted into the National Voting Hall of Fame.
Bill and Bettie Jean (Quinn) Karns were married in May 1942 and Bettie Jean preceded him in death in 1984. He was also predeceased by his only son, William H. Karns IV.
Surviving are his daughters, Pamela Karns (Michael) Kowalczyk (with whom he lived), Cheryl Karns (Robert) Hoffman; and his daughter-in-law Nancy (Sheffer) Karns.
He is also survived by grandchildren: Juli Conrad (Terry) Bossert, William "Billy" (Shannon) Karns V, Benjamin (Lora) Karns, Bevan Bresnahan, Alison Bresnahan and Michele (Kowalczyk) Giallonardo.
Bill believed that he was extremely blessed to have had a loving relationship with his great-grandchildren: Hannah, Eric and Reid Bossert, Elizabeth Karns, Kadin and Quinlyn Karns, and David and Matthew Giallonardo.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he truly cherished. In addition, Bill is survived by his long-time, much loved companion June O'Polka.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Church in Franklin with Monsignor John J. Herbein, presiding.
Interment with full military honors rendered by VETS Honor Guard will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Oil City.
The Derrick: April 5, 2012
Born Sept. 7, 1919, in Oil City, he was the eldest child of William H. and Emilena (Reid) Karns Jr.
He was the brother of Adelaide (Karns) Blackhurst and the late Patricia (Karns) Bryden.
Bill attended Penn State University before joining the Army during World War II and serving in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning from the war, he became a pipefitter and was active in the Pipefitter's Union.
Bill was also a past exalted ruler and life member of the benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Franklin Lodge 110. Daily meetings with friends at the Lodge for coffee and cards kept his mind sharp and body active in his later years. For this his family is truly grateful.
Secondary to serving his country, one of his proudest accomplishments was being inducted into the National Voting Hall of Fame.
Bill and Bettie Jean (Quinn) Karns were married in May 1942 and Bettie Jean preceded him in death in 1984. He was also predeceased by his only son, William H. Karns IV.
Surviving are his daughters, Pamela Karns (Michael) Kowalczyk (with whom he lived), Cheryl Karns (Robert) Hoffman; and his daughter-in-law Nancy (Sheffer) Karns.
He is also survived by grandchildren: Juli Conrad (Terry) Bossert, William "Billy" (Shannon) Karns V, Benjamin (Lora) Karns, Bevan Bresnahan, Alison Bresnahan and Michele (Kowalczyk) Giallonardo.
Bill believed that he was extremely blessed to have had a loving relationship with his great-grandchildren: Hannah, Eric and Reid Bossert, Elizabeth Karns, Kadin and Quinlyn Karns, and David and Matthew Giallonardo.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he truly cherished. In addition, Bill is survived by his long-time, much loved companion June O'Polka.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Church in Franklin with Monsignor John J. Herbein, presiding.
Interment with full military honors rendered by VETS Honor Guard will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Oil City.
The Derrick: April 5, 2012
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