Karl J. Protil Sr.

Karl Josef Protil, Sr., was born on March 9, 1939, in Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia to Wendelin and Hermione Protil. He lived there with his family throughout World War II, leaving with them in 1945 on one of the last trains west as the Russian Army approached Serbia. Karl and his family were displaced persons at the end of World War II and ended up settling in Linz, Austria, where they lived in the American sector of Austria until 1957. While there, the family initially lived in the Pichlinger See area in barracks style housing. While there he made life-long friends with many and kept up those friendships until his death. Karl and his family eventually moved to Pennewang, a small village outside Linz. While there, Karl was confirmed in the church and apprenticed to become a furniture maker. He would bicycle into Linz daily for work and training, eventually becoming a master furniture and cabinet maker.

Karl and his family were sponsored to come to the United States by Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Staunton. They travelled to Hamburg, Germany and, in 1958, took a ship to New York. Once there, they immediately boarded a train to Staunton, Virginia, arriving in the early morning hours. They were greeted by the pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church and taken to an apartment that had been rented for the family. Karl was immensely grateful for the opportunity to come to the United States and never forgot the kindnesses that others showed him and his family. Karl eventually became a proud United States citizen.

Karl came from several generations of furniture makers. He started a very successful furniture and cabinet business in 1969, initially working with his Father. Eventually, his sons Mark Protil and Timothy Protil joined him in the business, where they became master furniture and cabinet makers. Karl renamed it Karl J. Protil and Sons and the business just celebrated its 53rd year in operation.

The family moved to a house on Maple Street where Karl started working at Knopp Brothers, eventually becoming a foreman at a very early age. Karl met Judith Bennett and they were married in 1960. They had four children, Karl Protil, Jr., Mark Protil, Timothy Protil, and Allyson Langston née Protil. Judith Protil and Timothy Protil predeceased Karl. Family also includes son-in-law, Scott Langston and two daughters-in-law, Jennifer Protil and Annette Protil.

In addition to above children, other surviving family members include a sister, Brigitta Katherine Sensabaugh nee Protil; brother, Manfred Protil; eight grandchildren, Ben and Dalton Lunn, Emylee, Katherine, Karl Josef III, Caleb and Joshua Protil, and Madilyn Langston, and two great grandchildren, Taylor and Emma.

In addition to his son, Karl was also predeceased by his parents, Wendelin and Hermione Protil, and two sisters, Anna Marie Protil, who died shortly after her birth and is buried in Pennewang, Austria, and Edeltraud Glover née Protil.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 2021 in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church by the Pastor Robert D. McCarty. Masks are required in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in Augusta Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Steve Reynolds, Danny Fauber, Mike Fauber, Mike Hagenseeker, Danny Crawford, Jr., Danny Crawford, and Trey Curry.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 26, 2021 in Henry Funeral Home.

Karl was a kind and loving Father and Husband who had a love and unbridled interest in many things. He was an avid reader, traveler, and accordion player. Over the years, he travelled to Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, England, Spain, Serbia, Italy, and to his beloved Austria on multiple occasions. He continued to play accordion music at the Edelweiss Restaurant every Friday night up until his death.

Memorial donations may be made to ASPCA, 33 Archery Lane, Staunton, VA, 24401 or Lutheran World Relief, P. O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD, 21297-1061.