Committed parish priest for 46 years
MARION — Father Carl Edwin Kaltreider was called home to the Lord on June 11, 2025. He was 82.
For more than 46 years, Father Carl faithfully served parishes across western North Carolina, including in Marion, Eden, Asheville, Andrews and Shelby. His final and longest assignment was as administrator of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Mission in Marion, where he was known first and foremost as a parish priest – deeply devoted to the salvation of souls and committed to serving others until the end of his life.
Well past the typical retirement age, Father Carl remained active, dedicated and unwavering in his vocation – a constant example of faith, perseverance and service to others.
Nothing – not even illness – could keep him from celebrating Mass daily.
On one notable occasion, despite being seriously ill with pneumonia, he concelebrated Mass in Virginia and was taken by ambulance to the ICU immediately afterward. He was released from the hospital on Thursday and by Friday morning, he was back celebrating Mass in Marion.
When asked about retirement, he would respond: “Retirement? What’s that? I signed up for life.” He meant it.
A LIFE OF MINISTRY
Born March 20, 1943, in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Father Carl was the son of Percy and Dorothy (Brady) Kaltreider. He was a 1961 graduate of Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania. He attended Towson State University in Maryland before entering Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
He was ordained to the priesthood on March 17, 1979, by the Most Rev. Michael J. Begley, the first bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, at his home parish of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hanover, Pennsylvania.
Father Carl’s first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Ann Parish in Charlotte (1979-1981). He went on to serve as pastor at St. Joseph of the Hills Parish in Eden (1981-1986), St. Lawrence Church (now Basilica) in Asheville (1986-1996), and St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Shelby and Christ the King Mission in Kings Mountain (1996-1999), before taking a sabbatical.
While at St. Lawrence, he played a key role in securing the church’s designation as a minor basilica by the Holy See in 1993.
He returned to ministry in 2007 as pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Andrews and Prince of Peace Mission in Robbinsville. In 2011, he moved to Our Lady of the Angels in Marion, where he would serve for the next 14 years.
In Marion, Father Carl built a strong community, recruiting dedicated volunteers and welcoming everyone who came through the church doors, especially those inquiring about the Catholic faith. He had a deep love for the growing Hispanic community, not letting his lack of Spanish fluency stand in the way of pastoral care.
As just one example, Our Lady of the Angels parishioner Brenda Lopez relates that the first time she met Father Carl, he asked her to help someone in need. The following Sunday, noticing she didn’t receive Communion, he asked why. She explained that she wasn’t married in the Church yet might consider it the next year. Father Carl reminded her that next year is never guaranteed. Over the next six months, he worked with the couple, eventually marrying them in the Church and then teaching them to lead marriage preparation classes. Father Carl went on to help and marry 39 other Hispanic couples.
Father Carl also established the first Hispanic Knights of Columbus council in North Carolina at Our Lady of the Angels (Council 17058).
He loved everyone who came to the door to find out about the Catholic Church. He particularly liked talking about politics and religion, striking up conversations whenever he was out and using politics as an entry point to move the conversation to religion.
Father Carl also enjoyed working with young people, teaching sacramental preparation courses and watching them grow and develop in their faith.
LEGACY OF FAITH
Those who knew Father Carl will remember his tireless dedication, generous heart and unshakable faith. We loved him deeply and feel a great emptiness in our hearts, but we carry with us the powerful example he left: to fight for and defend our faith until the very last moment of our lives.
We are profoundly grateful to God for allowing us to share our lives with this great man, priest and friend. May God welcome him into His glory.
Father Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Clyde J. Kaltreider.
He is survived by his sister, Sally (Kenneth) Weiler; nephew, John Kaltreider; and nieces Patricia Palmer, Jackie Nickol and Dee Ketterman.
ARRANGEMENTS
A Vigil for the Deceased will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Our Lady of the Angels Mission, with the prayer service starting at 6 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St., Asheville. The principal celebrant will be Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, with priests of the diocese concelebrating. Burial will follow at Belmont Abbey Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Mission, 290 N. Garden St., Marion, NC 28752.
Westmoreland Funeral Home of Marion is in charge of the arrangements.
Deacon Robert Murphy
HUNTERSVILLE — Deacon Robert T. Murphy, 84, of Huntersville went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 16, 2025, surrounded by his family.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at James Funeral Home, located at 10520 Arahova Dr. in Huntersville. A prayer service will be held at 5 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at St. Mark Catholic Church, located at 14470 Stumptown Road in Huntersville, with burial to follow at Charlotte Memorial Gardens. There will be a reception in the Parish Hall at 2:30 p.m., after the burial.
Robert Murphy was born on March 12, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late James Murphy and Eva Klein. A Vietnam War Veteran, he served in the U.S. Air Force.
He was ordained as a deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006, and assigned after ordination to St. Mark Church, where he was active in Hispanic Ministry as well as general parish and outreach ministries. He retired in 2016 after 10 years of ministry.
Deacon Murphy is survived by the love of his life, Angeles I. Murphy, who he met in Madrid more than 60 years ago. Together they have four children: Robert Murphy, Richard Murphy (and wife Kate), Charles Murphy (and wife Kim), and Rose Mary Murphy. He is also survived by sister Kathleen, as well as eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald