Rev. Carl Allen Folk, 88, of Wyomissing, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Country Meadows. Born May 11, 1933 in West Reading, he was a cherished son to the late Rev. Ralph L. Folk and Florence (Deisher) Folk.
Rev. Folk, was a 1951 graduate of Lansdale High School and served in the U.S Navy. He earned his BA from Heidelberg College in 1955 and graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree, class of 1962.
From ordination through the end of 2013, he served as pastor at several congregations in PA, Ohio and Connecticut. After his official retirement, he continued to work as interim pastor at many churches in Berks County into his early 80s. In addition to his work as a pastor, he felt a strong call to community service and served on several community outreach programs in Berks County. Rev. Folk dedicated his love, time and talents to his family, the members of the church, and to the community, seeking always to serve the Lord.
Rev. Folk was a passionate pastor and tireless social justice activist. During the 1960s, he marched with other ministers along side Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Continually responding to community needs throughout his life and in addition to his work as a pastor, he felt a strong call to community service and served on several community outreach programs in Berks County. He also held a membership with the York County Mental Health Association, served as a chaplain in the Hartford, Connecticut prison system and actively participated with Habitat for Humanity of Berks County. Rev. Folk dedicated his love, time and talents to his family, the members of the church, and to the community, seeking always to serve the Lord.
A devoted and loving husband,father, grandfather, brother and friend; Rev. Folk was an honest, wise, dependable, empathetic and thoughtful hardworking family man. He had a kind heart and his compassion for others was evident with his welcoming smile and open arms. Rev. Folk loved helping people and he always had an eye for a kind moment or to be there when someone needed something, be it a helping hand, a bit of his often quirky sense of humor to lighten the mood or a gentle nudge to get someone going in the right direction. He will be greatly missed by all blessed enough to have known him.
In his spare time, Rev. Folk enjoyed all aspects of nature, especially hiking. He also had a love of gardening and took great pride in his home-grown flowers. Also an athletic person, Rev. Folk enjoyed swimming, biking and playing tennis in his free time.
Rev. Folk's spirit will be carried on by his beloved wife of 63 years, Ruth M. (Stambaugh) Folk; his 3 adult children David K. Folk and his wife Ann, of Tampa, FL; Barry S. Folk and his wife Lisa, of Mt. Penn; and Sheri A. McNeill, of Charlotte, NC. Rev. Folk also leaves behind 7 grandchildren Jessica, Lauren, Sean, Brian, Kelli, Hannah and Sofi and 2 great grandchildren Charlie and Jaxson to cherish his memory.
In addition to his parents, Rev. Folk was greeted in heaven by his sister Marie Vogelmann.
A viewing for Rev. Folk will be held Monday, October 11, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Auman's Inc., 390 W. Neversink Rd., Reiffton. Funeral services will promptly commence in the funeral home at 12:00 PM, with Rev. Dr. Robert Aregood and Rev. William Worley officiating. Graveside committal will immediately follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 391 W Neversink Rd., Reiffton.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rev. Folk's memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Berks County, 201 Washington St., Suite 329, Reading, PA 19601 and/ or The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aumansinc.com for the Folk family.
