FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| Karl Dollinger |
| April 26, 1929 - February 1, 2024 |
|
|
|
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 501 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 - 215-659-0911 - Map |
| Donation - Popcorn Park Animal Refuge - 1 Humane Way, P.O. Box 43, Forked River, NJ 08731 - 609-693-1900 - Map |
| Donation - North Country Animal League - 16 Mountain View Meadow Road, Morrisville, VT 05661 - 802-888-5065 - Map |
Karl Dollinger, 94, of Hatboro, Pennsylvania died Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Jefferson Abington Hospital. He was born April 26, 1929. Karl was the son of the late Johann and Agnes (Almer) Dollinger.
Karl is the beloved husband of Mary Ann Dollinger with whom he shared 65 years of marriage. He is the cherished father of Constance Dollinger and Frederick Dollinger and leaves behind his grandchildren, Anna, Claudia and Lloyd Dollinger. He is additionally survived by a very close friend with whom he shared a tight "father-like-son" bond, Matt Pluscht and his wife Ruth.
Born, raised and educated in Augsburg, Bavaria (Germany), Karl was the youngest of 10 children. He was an airplane electronics apprentice for Messerschmitt AG where he worked on the Bf 109 fighter plane and other aircraft from 1943 to 1945. Karl was severely injured in an Allied air attack on the Messerschmitt complex at Augsburg in March 1944. Twice he received draft notice near the end of WWII by the German army, but thankfully due to the severity of his injuries he was dismissed and never served. After the war, he emigrated to the United States, arriving in Philadelphia in December of 1954. He met his future wife (Mary Ann) at a dance in a Philadelphia German club. They became a powerful team and were inseparable – commonly referred to as “2 peas in a pod”. He continued working in the manufacturing industry, first for the J. B. Hudson Company in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia for over nine years, and then for the Jade Corporation for twenty-six years until his retirement in 1993. His work ethic and expertise as a Tool & Die craftsman was well established and broadly recognized. Throughout his life he was involved with the Bayerischer Volksfest Verein, the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, the Horsham Senior Citizens and the Wilson Center Seniors.
Karl often reflected that he lived a full life and had no regrets. He came to this country with nothing but his “2 hands”, working hard to learn the English language and achieving the American dream: to build a home, find the perfect partner, and raise two children together (of which he was extremely proud). He had a sharp memory and would tell stories of his younger years in Germany - captivating his listeners, amazed that he could recall such details. Karl had the travel bug and often reminisced about the yearly vacations with his young family and trips in later years with his wife. They shared many an adventure, traveling far and wide, experiencing the world and making friends along the way. A stereo-typical “Stubborn German”, he had a big, mischievous smile and a HUGE heart. Karl was the constant tinkerer, always at his workbench inventing something better and more "useful". He surrounded himself with dear friends, good times and fond memories. He was a presence: a devoted husband to the one and only love of his life, a loving role-model to his children, and a caring, loyal friend to many. We are simultaneously blessed to have him in our lives and heartbroken over his loss.
Without a doubt, Karl was a Good Man. Karl’s motto was “you can only do for the living, not for the dead”. He lived that daily, always concerned that those around him were taken care of and never felt alone. To honor his memory, pause for a moment to reach out and make someone’s world a little better with a kind word or gesture. As you do this, think of Karl and smile. (He would say, don’t worry about him – but we all know he loved the attention and was always touched by any small, kind deed bestowed on him!).
Services and interment are private with only immediate family.
Karl loved animals, especially German Shepherds. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the following non-profit organizations: Popcorn Park Animal Refuge or North Country Animal League. Please see “Contacts” section above for information on how to donate.
www.wetzelandson.com
Karl is the beloved husband of Mary Ann Dollinger with whom he shared 65 years of marriage. He is the cherished father of Constance Dollinger and Frederick Dollinger and leaves behind his grandchildren, Anna, Claudia and Lloyd Dollinger. He is additionally survived by a very close friend with whom he shared a tight "father-like-son" bond, Matt Pluscht and his wife Ruth.
Born, raised and educated in Augsburg, Bavaria (Germany), Karl was the youngest of 10 children. He was an airplane electronics apprentice for Messerschmitt AG where he worked on the Bf 109 fighter plane and other aircraft from 1943 to 1945. Karl was severely injured in an Allied air attack on the Messerschmitt complex at Augsburg in March 1944. Twice he received draft notice near the end of WWII by the German army, but thankfully due to the severity of his injuries he was dismissed and never served. After the war, he emigrated to the United States, arriving in Philadelphia in December of 1954. He met his future wife (Mary Ann) at a dance in a Philadelphia German club. They became a powerful team and were inseparable – commonly referred to as “2 peas in a pod”. He continued working in the manufacturing industry, first for the J. B. Hudson Company in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia for over nine years, and then for the Jade Corporation for twenty-six years until his retirement in 1993. His work ethic and expertise as a Tool & Die craftsman was well established and broadly recognized. Throughout his life he was involved with the Bayerischer Volksfest Verein, the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, the Horsham Senior Citizens and the Wilson Center Seniors.
Karl often reflected that he lived a full life and had no regrets. He came to this country with nothing but his “2 hands”, working hard to learn the English language and achieving the American dream: to build a home, find the perfect partner, and raise two children together (of which he was extremely proud). He had a sharp memory and would tell stories of his younger years in Germany - captivating his listeners, amazed that he could recall such details. Karl had the travel bug and often reminisced about the yearly vacations with his young family and trips in later years with his wife. They shared many an adventure, traveling far and wide, experiencing the world and making friends along the way. A stereo-typical “Stubborn German”, he had a big, mischievous smile and a HUGE heart. Karl was the constant tinkerer, always at his workbench inventing something better and more "useful". He surrounded himself with dear friends, good times and fond memories. He was a presence: a devoted husband to the one and only love of his life, a loving role-model to his children, and a caring, loyal friend to many. We are simultaneously blessed to have him in our lives and heartbroken over his loss.
Without a doubt, Karl was a Good Man. Karl’s motto was “you can only do for the living, not for the dead”. He lived that daily, always concerned that those around him were taken care of and never felt alone. To honor his memory, pause for a moment to reach out and make someone’s world a little better with a kind word or gesture. As you do this, think of Karl and smile. (He would say, don’t worry about him – but we all know he loved the attention and was always touched by any small, kind deed bestowed on him!).
Services and interment are private with only immediate family.
Karl loved animals, especially German Shepherds. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the following non-profit organizations: Popcorn Park Animal Refuge or North Country Animal League. Please see “Contacts” section above for information on how to donate.
www.wetzelandson.com
Copyright Wetzel and Son, Inc. All Rights Reserved.