Michael C. Karl

Michael Charles Karl was born August 8, 1939 to Leo and Ruth Karl in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up in Michigan, Michael had many talents and abilities as a young child from running prosperous paper routes to delivering groceries where then Michael met the love of his life Patricia Ann Hatfield and were married. Michael enrolled into the Marine Corp and served his country proud during 1956-1962. Mike and Pat opened and operated a catering hall and bar for a number of years. During that time he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and his life was changed forever. Mike and Pat felt the call was upon their lives to do work for the Lord. They were offered to become partners in the A & W Root beer Company in Sebring, Florida. The Lord used that offer to bring them to Sebring but, they soon realized the Lord was taking them on a different path. After years of waiting for the call the Lord finally opened the door in 1976 for them to open a rescue mission to feed, house, clothe and minister the gospel to the less fortunate here in Highlands County. For over 40 years under the direction of Rev. Michael C. Karl the New Testament Church and Mission has transformed and shaped the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals. Mike has travelled and ministered to people not only locally but abroad as well. He made over 72 mission trips abroad establishing missions in 3 foreign countries. He was an avid pilot, a renowned chef, horticulturist, Pastor, mentor, missionary, Marine, Rotarian of the Sebring Noon Rotary, boss, father, grandfather and husband. He dedicated his life to leading others to the Lord. He had a heart for the down and outer, lost, forgotten, abandoned and lonely no matter what race, gender or background. Surrounded by his family Michael went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 31, 2016 at 4:45p.m. at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Sebring, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Ruth Karl, Siblings Lee, Peggy, Ruthie, Eileen, Jimmy, Charlie, son Brett Karl. He is survived by his loving wife Patricia, Daughter Kimdalin Wack (Sebring, FL), Brother Tommy and his wife Sharon (Oxford, Michigan), Brother Dick (Tennessee), fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017 with visitation from 10 a.m. to noon and services will begin at noon at the First Baptist Church of Sebring. Graveside service will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery. The family would like to extend our appreciation for all the help given by the staff of Good Shepherd Hospice. In lieu of flowers friends may make memorial contributions to Mike’s Legacy New Testament Church and Mission. Most of you know of his love for plants and trees please feel free to bring a plant in his honor.