Carl P. Hornstrom
Carl P. Hornstrom
Carl P. Hornstrom, 67, master of the mustache and connoisseur of scrap wood, took his final snooze on May 23, 2025 — shockingly unfazed even after his beloved wife Linda threatened to light a bonfire and finally burn every scrap piece of lumber he had hoarded since 1988.
Born in a small German town on May 11, 1958, Carl emigrated to Pennsylvania at six months old and immediately made a dramatic entrance by being dropped. He recovered quickly, which set the tone for a life full of resilience, Ford trucks, Harley Davidsons, and the firm belief that no project was complete without at least four leftover bolts.
Known to most as Carl, but to his closest crew as Ly, Papa, and MacGyver, he was a man of many talents — especially if those talents involved fixing things in a way only he understood, and then insisting it was “better than new.” A dedicated employee of Rand Machine for 40 years, he took pride in his work ethic, even if he was convinced your way was definitely the wrong way.
Carl excelled in collecting “valuable” junk, dodging small talk like a ninja, providing emotionally awkward yet oddly comforting heart-to-hearts, and driving his family delightfully nuts. He offered dependable ground support, a gruff but loving shoulder to lean on, and unparalleled comedic timing in the middle of any serious moment.
He is survived by his patient and loving wife Linda Hornstrom of 37 years; his mother Christa Hornstrom; daughters Tressa Sweeney, Misty Stanley, and Amy Hornstrom; grandchildren Angel, Nicholas, Isabella, Marissa, Jamason, Harper, Krystal; great-grandchildren Paxton and Paisley; siblings Leroy (Terri), Mike, Thomas (Rhonda), and Kim (James) Lyszaz; and more nieces and nephews than he could remember on a good day.
Carl now joins his father Carl V. Hornstrom and in-laws Ross and Ina Walters in the great garage in the sky — presumably building something that looks unsafe but works perfectly.
Friends and family are invited to call on Wednesday May 28th from 4-7PM at the Youngsville Free Methodist Church, 179 Davis St. in Youngsville. Burial will be at the Warren Co. Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Warren Forest Counties EOC (PO Box 547, Warren, PA 16365) to support their Emergency Community Fund — a cause close to Carl’s big, slightly grumbly heart.
As Dad / Papa would say, “Don’t take any wooden nickels, keep it between the navigational beakers, and deny, deny, deny.” And now we are all saying that we are screwed because Papa cannot fix it.
The Nelson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Youngsville have been entrusted with all arrangements.