Carl Mark Kalie

1962 - 2023

Carl Mark Kalie, 60, of Shickshinny, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp., after a long battle with cancer.

Born Oct. 5, 1962, in Nanticoke, he was the son of Bernard and Carolyn Zultevicz Kalie of Shickshinny.

A graduate of Northwest High School, Class of 1980, he went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years as a radar technician, attaining the rank of senior master sergeant. Carl started his Air Force career at basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and his tech school for radar systems maintenance at Keesler AFB, MS. He was stationed in Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Naples, Italy, Texas and Virginia during his Air Force career.

In the Air Force, he achieved educational excellence and attended Airman Leadership School and Non-Commissioned Officer and Senior NCO Academies. He earned numerous awards, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Short Tour Ribbon and Air Force Longevity Service Award with 5 oak leaf clusters.

After his military service, he continued his service to others. He is a past commander of Jesse Thomas American Legion Post 495 in Shickshinny and a past senior vice commander and current trustee at Fort Ricketts VFW Post 8317 in Benton. Carl, along with his wife, Karen, arranged bus trips for veterans to Washington, D.C. and other locations and participated in countless other events in support of our veterans.

Mr. Kalie was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Berwick. He was a lector for many years and enjoyed making potato pancakes at the annual parish picnic.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Margaret Kalie; maternal grandparents, Edward and Michaeline Zultevicz; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Carl is survived by his wife of 35 years, the former Karen Longenberger; son, Mark Kalie, serving with the United States Air Force; daughter, Megan Kalie, at home; his parents; brother, Thomas and his wife and daughter, Penni and Katie; several aunts and uncles and numerous cousins.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Mayo Funeral Home, 77 N. Main St., Shickshinny, and from 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1730 Fowler Ave., Berwick, with the Rev. William T. Barbee, his pastor, and the Rev. Francis J. Tamburro, retired pastor, officiating as celebrants.

Interment will be in Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to HunterSeven Foundation, a veteran-founded organization providing research and health care for military exposures, at hunterseven.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mayo Funeral Home Inc., Shickshinny.

For information or to send condolences, visit www.mayofh.com.