Carl H. Horner

Carl Harvey Horner, 96, of Clarion, PA died Sunday evening, January 12, 2025. He was born on August 13, 1928, to Millard and Florence (Robinson) Horner in the Allegheny River side community of Upper Hillville, a coal mining settlement. Later, they lived in the nearby communities of West Monterey and Dutch Hill. His early education was at the Blue Goose, Independence, and Dutch Hill Schools. Later, the family relocated to Saegertown, PA. When Carl graduated from high school, he and his friend, Ron Shorts, joined the Army. After training, he served a year in the Army of Occupation Force in Japan. After his discharge, Carl returned to Saegertown and worked at the American Viscose Rayon Plant in Meadville. While doing so, he learned to fly. In 1953, Carl joined the U.S. Air Force and became a pilot with the Strategic Air Command. During his service with SAC, which included duty in Southeast Asia, he received many decorations and citations. At the time of his retirement, he held the rank of major and was serving as Senior Pilot and Aircraft Commander of Beale Air Force Base. In 1955, Carl and Audrey Baldwin were married in Saegertown. Over the years, they lived in the often-remote places where SAC bases were located. They built their retirement home in the gold country of northern California, on a hill outside the towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City. It had the quaint postal address of Rough and Ready, California. After Audrey’s passing and the later loss of his home to a forest fire, Carl relocated to Clarion to live with family. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; baby sister, Phyllis Mae Horner; sister, Jane Esther Horner Swansiger; and his wife of 56 years, Audrey Baldwin Horner. Carl is survived by his brother, Richard (Bonnie) Horner of Titusville, sisters-in law, Lea Greenawalt Baldwin of Saegertown and Sallie Baldwin Bam of Greenwich, CT, and numerous nieces and nephews, especially Leslie (Terry) Latour and Corene Horner Glotfelty, all of Clarion. The family is thankful for the caring and exceptional individuals of Highland Oaks at Water Run, as well as the residents there who were kind friends. Carl will also be missed by Barney, his loyal and protective canine. The Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion is handling the arrangements. Per Carl’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. A celebration of life will be held later this year on his birthday.

Carl H. Horner

August 13, 1928 - January 12, 2025