Karl W. Fockler

Karl W. Fockler, 57, of Foxburg, died unexpectedly of natural causes on Friday, August 11, 2023 at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Karl was born in Grove City on May 11, 1966.  He was the son of Shirley A. Seelbaugh Fockler of Grove City and the late Irvin T. “Jack” Fockler.

Karl grew up in Six Points and attended school in the A-C Valley School District.  He graduated in 1984 from Moniteau High School and earned his EMT certificate from New Castle Trade School.

In his younger years, Karl enjoyed many outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking, panning for gold, woodworking, metalworking, photography, hunting, and most of all, fishing.  Karl spent time in Alaska as a young man working in construction and as a fisherman on a “Kamishak Queen”.  He returned to Alaska with his family years later, working in construction before returning home to Pennsylvania.

Karl worked most of his working life as a furniture mover, in construction and in the natural gas drilling industry. Karl had been employed as an EMT for the Sugarcreek Ambulance Service.  He could fix anything on a vehicle and build anything out of wood.  Karl always enjoyed a good laugh and had a gift for telling stories of his many adventures.  He made friends easily and kept them for life.  His longtime wish to return to Alaska will be fulfilled when his cremains are scattered on Barometer Mountain in Kodiak, Alaska. He will be missed terribly by all who knew him.

In addition to his mother, Karl is survived by his wife, Melinda L. Glinkerman Fockler, whom he married in Parker on July 2, 2002.  Also surviving are three children, Ginger Kendrick of Butler, Zachary K. Fockler and his fiancé, Savannah Weckerly and Trey A. Fockler, all of Foxburg; a grandson, Spencer, and a granddaughter, Alora L. Fockler; two sisters, Brenda Ebrahim and her husband, Dr. Ali Ebrahim of Redlands, CA and Sandra A. Carlson of Butler, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Eric Fockler and a sister, Rhonda Fockler, and a nephew, Matthew, his grandparents, and uncles.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home Inc., 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton, from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday.  Interment will be in Rockland Cemetery.    Memorial contributions to help defray expenses may be made by visiting www.hilefh.com and choosing the donations tab or by sending to Hile Funeral Home, Po Box 476, Emlenton PA 16373.

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