The Reverend Donald L. Karshner

The Reverend Donald L. Karshner, age 89, of Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 2, 2015. Born in Columbus, Ohio on November 16, 1926, Reverend Karshner was a son of the late Glenn Davis and Louise (Knapp) Karshner and was a direct descendant of Conrad Kershner whose rooms are part of the Pennsylvania German collection at Winterthur. After attending public schools in Columbus, he went on to receive his undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and later received his master’s degree in Theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was a member of Kappa Phi Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha. A proud veteran, Reverend Karshner served his country as a member of the U.S. Army from 1946 until 1948. After serving in parishes in Massachusetts and Ohio, he was appointed Rector of the former St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where he would spend the next 18 years until his retirement in 1986. Reverend Karshner was the host of the weekly radio show, Religion and Life on WDEL for many years. Active in his community, he devoted much of his time serving on various boards and committees throughout the years, including Project Equality, the Ecumenical Lenten Noonday Service Committee, the committee for Constitution and Canons, the Clergy Support Division and Communications Division all for the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, the Delaware Association of Episcopal Clergy, Limen House, Wilmington Bicentennial Celebration, Family Services of Northern Delaware, Resource Member of Singles, Venture in Mission (AIIM), the Commission on Ministry and as chairman of the Continuing Education for Clergy. In addition to his parents, Reverend Karshner was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda C. (Lewis) Karshner. He is survived by his children, W. Christen Karshner of Newark, DE and Donald L. Karshner, Jr. of Lake Havasu, AZ; brother, Jerrold Karshner of Columbus, OH; sisters, Carole Kolumer of Knoxville, TN and Suzanne Karshner of Logan, OH; and by his granddaughters, Alexandra C. Leech and Carolyn L. Coliukos who affectionately referred to their grandfather as Grand-da-da. Services and interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.