Obituary of Karl Kalber

MARION, VIRGINIA: KARL "SONNY" ALFRED KALBER, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2011 in dignity and peace after his battle with cancer. He was the son of the late Karl F. and Charlotte R. Kalber. Karl, Marion High School class of '53, graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in '57 with a degree in Architectural Engineering. As owner of Marion Mold & Tool Co. for 54 years, Karl employed many highly-skilled residents of Smyth and the surrounding counties. He married Lois Kate in 2005 and resided in the Hungry Mother State Park area since 1949. Karl held a private pilot's license and for many years, flew out of Mountain Empire airport. He enjoyed many physical activities throughout his life including cart racing, running, on and off-road motorcycling and bicycling, and was a familiar face in many local races and events. He also enjoyed extensive travel by motorcycle throughout Europe, Africa, and New Zealand. Karl served on the Marion Planning Commission since 2004 and was awarded Smyth County Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year in 2008. He recently converted Marion Mold & Tool Co. into an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, ESOP, which is a shared employee owned corporation through stock distribution. An ESOP provides a retirement plan that over time is significant, and gives the employee a sense of ownership and primarily provides business continuity. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter Julie, and step-son Joe. He is survived by wife Lois Kate Kalber of Marion VA; five sons, Karl Robin and wife, Lori, of Chesterfield VA, Chris and wife, Renita, of Marion VA, John and wife, Elizabeth, of Atlanta, GA, Matthew and wife, Felicia, of Glenn Allen, VA, Andrew of Atlanta, GA; one daughter Jennifer, of Richmond, VA; two step-sons, John Haywood, of Chilhowie, VA, Alex Williams, of Blacksburg, VA; one sister, Roberta "Birdie" Weindorf and husband, Ron, of Austin, TX; seven grandchildren, Lindsey, Lucas, Madison, Field, Kendall, Katie, Kohl and Macy. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Reverend John Graham officiating. Graveside services will follow at the family property at 900 East Hungry Mother Drive, Marion, Virginia, located at the very end of the road through Hungry Mother State Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Flowers will be appreciated or donations may be made to the Smyth County Free Clinic, P.O. Box 1273, Marion VA 24354 or contact 276-781-2090. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Kalber Family.