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Monsignor William (Max) Karg, 86, died Thursday, March 15, 2018, at the Sharon Regional Medical Center.

Monsignor Karg was born on June 9, 1931, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, the son of Charles A. and Marie (Morrison) Karg.

After attending Grant Street Grade School in Oil City, he was accepted into Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie and graduated from there in 1949. He entered St. Mark Seminary in Erie in 1949 and spent two years there before entering Christ the King Major Seminary in East Aurora, New York. While at the seminary he completed his B.A. at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York. He was ordained a priest on May 30, 1957, in St. Peter Cathedral by Bishop Edward P. McManaman.

Msgr. Karg began his priestly ministry as a full-time faculty member at Cathedral Preparatory School, Erie, while serving as a weekend assistant at Blessed Sacrament Parish, also in Erie. After 10 years he was appointed to the faculty of Elk County Catholic School in St. Marys, while a weekend assistant at St. Leo Magnus in Ridgway. In 1971, he was named pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Frenchville and in 1973 he became pastor of St. Brigid Parish, Meadville. In 1984, Msgr. Karg became Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Sharon, where he remained until 2001. In 2001, he was made senior associate in his home parish of St. Stephen in Oil City. Msgr. Karg retired in 2012.

In additional to his other assignments, Msgr. Karg served the Diocese of Erie in a variety of other ways, including on the Diocesan Board of Continuing Education from 1976-1980 and from 2003-2011, as Director of Ecumenical Affairs from 1982-1990, on the Priests’ Personnel Board from 1985-1987 and from 2008-2011, on the Presbyteral Council from 1989-1999, as Regional Director of Ecumenical Affairs of the Western Vicariate from 1990-2001, and in the College of Consultors from 1992-1999.

Msgr. “Maxie” Karg served as president of the Budd Foundation and the Shenango Valley Initiative, as a board member of the Farrell Food Bank in Mercer County, and of the Christian Associates of Shenango Valley. He also served as president of the Sharon Ministerium, the Meadville Clergy Association, the Meadville Kiwanis Club, and the Christ the King Seminary Alumni. He was an enthusiastic boater, world traveler, and lover of classical music.

In addition to his parents, Msgr. Karg was preceded in death by his maternal aunt and godmother, Jessie Morrison.

He is survived by his two brothers, Paul J. Karg and wife Patricia of Wilmington, NC, and Thomas Karg and wife Judy of Oil City; nieces and nephews, Alan Karg, David Karg and wife Crystal, Brian Karg and wife Kim, Michael Karg and wife Julie, Robin Wethli, Scott Karg and wife Kathy, Shawn Karg and wife Jan, and Christopher Karg and wife Jill; great nieces and great nephews, Megan, Alex, Matthew, Benjamin, Alyssa, Tyler, Amanda, Daniel, Katie, Jordan, Alex, Tanner, Shayna, Cheyenne, Kyndall and Zach; and many great great nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Morrison Funeral Home, 110 Petroleum St., Oil City, PA, on Monday, March 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Funeral Mass will on Tuesday, March 20 at St. Stephen Church, 21 State St., Oil City, PA, at 11:00 a.m., with Bishop Lawrence Persico as the main celebrant.

Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Venango Catholic High School (1505 W. First St., Oil City, PA 16301) or St. Stephen School (214 Reed St., Oil City, PA 16301).

Please visit the Tribute Wall at www.morrisonhome.com to share a memory or leave a condolence.