Carl W. Drexler Jr., 65, Altoona, passed away Sunday at his residence after a battle with cancer.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Carl W. Sr. and Gwendolyn G. (Rogers) Drexler. He married Debra K. Schoening on Aug. 10, 2007, in Hollidaysburg.
Surviving are his wife; two daughters: Jessica A. and Kristina Marie, both of Boise, Idaho; two step-granddaughters, Makayla and Makale; a former wife, Melissa Mercogliano of Albuquerque, N.M.; a stepson, Andrew J. (Stephanie) Hite of Altoona; a sister, Mary Louise (Jim) Parker in Delaware; six brothers: Edward E. (Patty), George M. (Cookie), Frederick J. (Renee), Steven J., Thomas E. (Shari) and Dwight D. (Trudy), all of Altoona.
Carl was a 1969 graduate of Altoona Area High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New York. He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam and Gulf wars. He retired in 1994 after 20 years of service. He was employed as a direct service professional at Skills of Central Pennsylvania for 20 years, where he enjoyed working with adults with special needs.
He was an avid collector and sports fan. Carl was a member of the American Legion, Freedom Team and ChildFund International. He had attended the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Dec. 22, 2015, at Jones Funeral Home. A funeral service outside of Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, at the funeral home, Monsignor Robert C. Mazur presiding.