Rev. Carl H. Kearns

Rev. Carl H. Kearns             Sept. 9, 1935 – April 4, 2021 (age 85)

Carl Hugh Kearns, 85, of Bound Brook NJ, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he had been visiting his son Loren and family. Carl had been battling an illness for the past five years.

Born on September 9, 1935, in Derry Township, Mifflin County, Carl was a son of the late Hugh Beaver Kearns and Pauline (Landis) Kearns. His older brother Ralph preceded him in death in 2017. Carl is survived by his wife Phyllis (Smith) Kearns, whom he married June 11, 1983. He is also survived by his son Alan Kearns, wife Izabella, children Alexander, Julia, Steven and Paul, son Barry Kearns, wife DJ, and child Daniel, son Dan Kearns, wife Chris, children Michael and Leslie, daughter Diana Papa, husband David, children Owen and Benjamin, son Loren Kearns, wife Michelle, children Emily, Elizabeth and Aaron, daughter Lisa Curcio, husband Vincent, and children Daina, Daniel, Sam, and Noah.  Carl is also survived by his brother Ralph’s wife, Lola Kearns and nephew Brian Kearns.  Carl was preceded in death by his niece Christine, nephew Nelson, and granddaughter Rachel.

Although Carl gave up farming to attend college, he was always proud of his agricultural roots and the family farm in Dry Valley, Lewistown, PA, was always a part of him. Carl was a graduate of the Derry Township High School in 1953, a 1958 graduate of Lycoming College, and 1962 graduate of Drew University Theological School.

Carl was ordained a Minister in the United Methodist Church, in New Jersey. His 43 years of continual ministry included appointments to Broadway/Montana UMC Churches, from 1960-62, Martinsville UMC, 1962-71, Metuchen Centenary UMC, 1971-83, and Bound Brook UMC,1983-92. In 1971 Carl traveled with his family on a 6-week ministry exchange in London, England.  He was then elected by the former Northern New Jersey Conference where he served as the Conference Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services from 1992-2002.  In 2000, Carl was instrumental in serving as Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services during the merger of the former Northern and Southern NJ Conferences to present Greater New Jersey Conference.  He also served from 1989-1993 as Board President of the United Methodist Homes (Communities). Since retirement in 2012, Carl was closely affiliated with the Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home in Bound Brook NJ, where he served as a gratis Grief Counselor. 

Carl became a certified pilot at the age of 72, and enjoyed restoring and flying his Cessna Skyhawk. He and his wife, Phyllis, enjoyed gardening, grand-parenting and traveling. In his retirement Carl visited 36 countries on 5 continents with Phyllis, and enjoyed many trips in the US with their grandchildren.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.  Interment will be in Little Valley Presbyterian Cemetery, Vira.  Memorial contributions may be made in Carl’s name to the Little Valley Presbyterian Church, 1392 Vira Road, Lewistown, Pa., 17044.

A memorial service will be held in New Jersey in the summer at a date to be determined, and as local regulations allow.

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