Rev. William C. Karns

HANOVER The Rev. William C. Karns, formerly of Littlestown, currently of Utz Terrace, died Sunday., December 29, at York Hospital. He was 104 years old. Born in Everett September 29, 1909, he was the son of the late W.C., Sr. and Martha (Williams) Karns. Rev. Karns was the husband of the late Ruth Rohm of Breezewood who died April 22, 2001. Surviving are two daughters, Anne Mummert and son-in-law, Stanley, of Littlestown and Melinda Hummel of Catonsville, Md.; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Rev. Karns was predeceased by a brother, C.C. Karns. A 1928 graduate of Everett High School, he graduated from Gettysburg College in 1932 and Gettysburg Theological Seminary in 1935. He was the oldest living graduate of both the college and seminary. Rev. Karns was ordained in 1935 in Altoona and served at Scalp level and Jennerstown pastoral charges in Somerset County from 1935 1943 and at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Abington, near Philadelphia from 1943-1952. During his pastorate in Abington he assisted in the establishment and organizing of two new mission congregations under the direction of the Board of Home Missions of the Lutheran Church in America, one in Roslyn and one in Hatboro. Rev. Karns served St. John's Lutheran Church, Littlestown from 1952-1975. During his pastorate in Littlestown he served on the Board of Home Missions and Rural Church and the Stewardship Committee of the Central Pennsylvania Synod. He was also Secretary of the Hanover District of the Central PA Synod. Rev. Karns had served as president of the Littlestown Lions Club and Chairman of the Littlestown Senior Center. Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Littlestown with The Rev.'s John Largen and Julian Hall officiating. There will be no viewing; however, the family will receive friends 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to "Karns Memorial Fund", C/O St. John's Lutheran Church, 665 St. Johns Rd., Littlestown, PA 17340. Online condolences may be shared on www.littlesfh.com