The Rev. David W. Karns

The Rev. David W. Karns, pastor emeritus, St. Stephen Church, Port Carbon, passed away in his home on Monday in Drums. He was 69 years of age.

Born in Berwick, Father Karns was a son of the late Marland W. and Genevive Sudol Karns.

He is survived by a sister, Kathleen Shire, Harrisburg 

Father Karns attended St. Ambrose School, Schuylkill Haven, and was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville. He attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, and Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, where he received a Master of Divinity Degree in Theology.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1974, by the Most Rev. Joseph M. McShea, bishop of Allentown, at the Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

Father Karns's first priestly assignment was parochial vicar, St. Anne Church, Bethlehem, followed by parochial vicar, St. Paul Church, Reading; professor, Notre Dame High School, Easton, with residence at St. Joseph Rectory, Easton and St. Anne Rectory, Bethlehem; parochial vicar, Notre Dame Church, Bethlehem; parochial vicar, Sacred Heart Church, Allentown, and parochial vicar, St. Catharine of Siena Church, Reading. 

His first pastoral assignment was St. Patrick Church, McAdoo, followed by parochial vicar, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Easton; pastor, St. Joseph Church, Frackville, and Our Lady of Siluva Church, Maizeville; and pastor, St. Stephen Church, Port Carbon, where he served until his retirement.

During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Karns served as council chaplain for Catholic Scouting, Bethlehem; regional director, Thanksgiving Clothing Drive, Northampton County; regional director, Catholic Youth Organization, south Schuylkill County; clergy representative, North Schuylkill Deanery, Diocesan Board of Education; chaplain, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 358; and chaplain, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court of St. James 1029.

Father Karns was named pastor emeritus, St. Stephen Church, Port Carbon, on July 1, 2016.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Karns will be celebrated at at 11 a.m. Oct. 12 at St. Ambrose Church, Schuylkill Haven. The main celebrant will be the Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Allentown. The homilist will be Monsignor John J. Grabish, pastor, St. Joseph and St. Paul Churches, Reading. Main Concelebrants will be Monsignor David L. James, vicar general; Monsignor Gerald E. Gobitas, secretary for clergy, chancellor, and rector, Holy Family Villa; Monsignor William E. Handges, pastor emeritus, St. Peter Church, Coplay; Monsignor Thomas E. Hoban, pastor emeritus, St. Anne Church, Emmaus; the Rev. Dr. John A. Krivak, administrator, Annunciation BVM Church, Catasauqua; the Rev. Leo J. Maletz, Pastor, St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, Minersville; The Rev. Richard Clement, pastor, St. John the Baptist de la Salle Church, Shillington;Monsignor Joseph P.T. Smith, pastor emeritus, St. Catharine of Siena Church, Reading; and Monsignor John J. Grabish. Calling hours will be held before Mass from 9 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 12 in St. Ambrose Church, Schuylkill Haven. Interment will take place in St. Ambrose Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven. Priests from the Diocese of Allentown wishing to concelebrate, please bring your Diocesan Vestments; all others alb and white stole.

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