Philip P. Karli

Philip Karli passed away on November 10th, 2026. He was born in Reading, PA, the middle child of eight children. He was the son of Frank and Anna (Solie) Karli. He began a lifelong passion for sports beginning at the West Reading Playground where he played football, basketball and baseball. He also had a talent for being able to draw, often combining sports and art by sketching his favorite professional sports players from this he developed the gift of cartooning.

A three sport letterman at Reading Central Catholic High school, Phil’s father and mother decided to move the family back to their home town of Lebanon, PA. Phil was fifteen years old at the time. The family moved to a house on East Mifflin Street and Phil began attending Lebanon Catholic High School where he became the captain of the football, basketball and baseball team. As quarterback, he led the team to Lebanon Catholic’s first tri-county championship in football.

Following High School, Phil was awarded an athletic and academic scholarship to Colgate University. He majored in Fine Arts and returned to Lebanon to establish an art program at Lebanon Catholic High School. It was during this time that he met Donna McKinney whom he would marry. In addition to teaching art, he joined the coaching staff of the football team. Following the departure of well known coach Norbie Danz, Phil once again lead the Beavers to a football championship.

Phil left academia after several years and entered the business world. He had his own art studio and later became the manager of FineTex Textile Printing in Lebanon. Phil was recruited by QSP, a subsidiary of Readers Digest where he spent over twenty years conducting fund raising campaigns for schools in central Pennsylvania. Upon retirement, he focused back on his artwork. He was well known for his absolutely realistic portrait pen and ink drawings, creating hundreds for people throughout the country.

Phil was married to Donna for nearly 60 years. They had three children. Phil coached his children in sports and instilled a strong work ethic. He also remained a fan of sports, often simultaneously watching one game on tv, one game on the computer and listing to another game on the radio. This was done while drawing detailed portraits on his art desk.

His wit, humor and talent touched the lives of many.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Frank, Robert and Dennis and Patrick. He is survived by his wife Donna, children Brian and wife Cricket of Lebanon, David and wife Zoe of Miami, FL and Brad and wife Sara of Lebanon, five grandchildren Graham, Nicholas, Geoffrey, Brighton and Bruin Karli, Myah and Livia Wright.

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. The family welcomes your memories and messages in our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com