Obituary of Carl A. Lillmars, Jr.

On December 24, 2025,  Carl A Lillmars Jr, age 95, of Phoenixville, PA, completed his earthly journey and began his heavenly one.  

Born March 6, 1930 to Carl A and Beatrice Lillmars Sr in Muskegon, Michigan the family moved at a young age to the Philadelphia suburbs when his father opened his own business in the petroleum equipment industry.  Graduating from Episcopal Academy in 1948 he went on to obtain a business degree from Bucknell University in 1952, and after a brief hiatus in other work, joined his father’s business to assume ownership when his dad retired.  His creative mind and mechanical skills led him to form Lillmars Design, a company that designed and fabricated booths for trade show exhibits.  Carl was a true renaissance man, Jack of all trades and master of all.  It seemed there was nothing he could not do with his hands -and do it to perfection-to include wood and metal working, masonry, carpentry, automotive and aircraft repair, and artistic dabbling in wood carving and painting.   His interests and hobbies were vast as he enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and flying, having obtained his pilot's license.  He cherished the beauty and serenity provided at Lake Mokoma, in Sullivan County, in the cabin that he largely built himself.  He and Donna also enjoyed the warmth and activities during winters at a home in Venice, FL, until health issues limited travel.  

Carl professed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and although not one to express his faith vocally, he exhibited the love of Christ in deeds.  He did not keep his talents to himself, he freely shared his love to others by selflessly offering these skills to benefit  many family and friends, often prioritizing these needs often above his own projects-indeed, this was his love language. 

In 1951 he married his childhood sweetheart, Donna Borgman, and together they built a loving and stable home for their four children, beginning in Havertown, PA, and subsequently moving to a home they built in Chester Springs, PA.   Together they celebrated 69 years of marriage before her passing in 2021.  In addition to his wife and parents he was preceeded in death by his brother Richard (Joan) of Fort Wayne, IN, and one son Gary (Peggy) of Spring City, PA.  He is survived by three children: Steven (Jean) of Danville, PA,  Diane Banks (Bill) of Phoenixville, PA, and Beverly Carlson (Russ) of Orlando, FL, his sister Elise Roe (Tom) of Ada, MI, as well as 9 grandchildren, 13 great grand children, nieces and nephews.

He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers memorial contribution could be made in his memory to:  Agape Flights, 100 Airport Avenue E, Venice, FL. 34285

Funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Shalkop-Grace & Strunk Funeral Homes, 135 Bridge Street, Spring City, PA.

There will be no viewing,  burial will be at Philadelphia Memorial Park at 2PM for all who wish to attend.