The world lost a bright and beautiful soul far too soon when Kyra Charlotte Marie Bernstel, 24, of Reading, entered eternal rest unexpectedly on October 26, 2025. Born on May 12, 2001, she was the beloved daughter of Tara Lyn (Reber) Bernstel and Robert Jon Bernstel. Waiting with open arms to greet her in heaven was her grandmother, Charlotte Fay Bahorik.
Kyra was a bright and boundless spirit and was a burst of color in a world that can sometimes feel gray. She was endlessly creative, the kind of person who could turn something ordinary into art. From a young age, she found her rhythm in movement and music. She danced in every style she could, tumbled and twisted as a gymnast, and wowed crowds as a regional and national champion in gymnastics and contortion. When music played, she sang freely, often slipping into her playful "bebop" freestyle that made everyone around her smile.
Art followed Kyra everywhere. Her sketchbook was never far from reach, and if it was not nearby, the nearest notebook, shoe, or scrap of paper would do. She saw beauty where others might not, often drying flowers to keep their color alive or stringing lights and artistic tapestry through her room to create her own little world. Even her clothes became her canvas. If Kyra wore it, she redesigned it and made it her own.
Her greatest talent, though, was the way she loved people and animals. She was kind, witty, and intelligent. She was always the one to lift someone up, even when she was carrying her own weight quietly. She had a soft spot for every stray and a heart that never ran out of room for anyone in need.
Kyra's light lives on in the hearts of her parents, Tara and Robert, her brothers Bryan Jon Bernstel and Brandon Lee Bernstel, her maternal grandfather John K. Reber Sr., and her paternal grandparents Jennie and Robert Bernstel Sr. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews who will forever cherish her memory.
Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Kyra’s life on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Auman’s Inc. Funeral Home, 390 W. Neversink Rd., Reading, PA 19606. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m.
Flowers are welcome, but your support in helping cover Kyra’s funeral arrangements would mean so much to her family during this difficult time. Donations can be made by calling the funeral home at 610-374-4505. You may also honor her memory with a donation to Angel Wings Kitty Sanctuary or Last Chance Ranch, causes that reflected her love for animals. Every contribution helps celebrate her life and keep her spirit alive.
