Karl Egon Szlendak

It is with deep sadness that Krystyna Szlendak Morgan, loving sister, announces the passing of her beloved brother, Karl Egon Szlendak, of California, Maryland, on June 12, 2025. Karl is now in heaven in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless his soul. Karl was born on September 23, 1943, in Germany, to Wladyslaw Szlendak (deceased) and Stanislawa Szlendak (deceased). He and his family came to the U.S. in August 1948 when he was at the age of five. Karl studied at Margaret Brent High School in Helen, Maryland before attending plumbing trade school in Virginia. His plumbing skills and numerous other talents prepared him to begin a 30-year career with the Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, working at Placid Harbor in Hollywood, Maryland. His job title as Maintenance Specialist didn’t capture the wide variety of things Karl could do. He was more like a Maintenance Swiss Army Knife, tackling everything that needed to be done. He was truly a devoted employee that could be counted on in every instance. Karl enjoyed the many outdoor activities St. Mary’s County offered, including boating, fishing, crabbing, and hunting for all varieties of game, including geese, duck, deer, turkey, and anything else in season. He loved NASCAR, the Pittsburg Steelers, and collecting Budweiser beer steins. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, and he loved Cabela’s outdoor store, Snap-On tools, and John Deere tractor equipment. Karl really enjoyed working on his farming equipment. If Karl was telling one of his many stories, and he began with “Hey, you’re not going to believe this”, you could rest assured it was going to be a good story. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and devoted much of his time to helping with all their events and the Color Guard. He was also a member of the Optimist Club. One of Karl’s most precious possessions was his black lab, Boomer, given to him by a dear friend, Allie Raley. Boomer was Karl’s companion for 12 years. Karl is survived by sister, Krystyna Szlendak Morgan (husband Bernard Morgan, deceased); brother George Szlendak and son Austin and daughter (Lisa Marie Steffeck (husband David Steffeck, two children Abigail and Zac); brother Joseph Szlendak (wife Jill Szlendak and their daughters, Brittany and Nicole Vehawn (husband Jason Vehawn and their son Kaleb). Karl was preceded in death by both his beloved brother Casimir (Caz) Szlendak and wife Mary Szlendak. Caz, Krystyna (Sis), and Karl referred to themselves as the “three musketeers”; always causing mischief in their younger years. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the Knights of Columbus reciting the rosary at 7:00 PM, in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, 41590 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 225 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MD, with Father Bob Kilner officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, 26325 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Claye Gross, Michael Maher, James R. Hammett, Jr., James (Dickie) Hammett, III, Allie Raley, and Dale Tarleton. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Karl E. Szlendak’s name to either the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, 21685 FDR Blvd, Lexington Park MD 20653 or the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, 46900 S. Shangri-La Drive, Lexington Park, MD 26253 Karl was a devout Christian and a loving, caring, and thoughtful man. He was always willing to help others when needed. He will be missed by all. “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.