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Note: East Peoria High School '38 U.S. Public Records Index Name: Carl W Mundinger Birth Date: Sep 1916 Address: 4014 Claitor WY, San Jose, California 95132-0801 (1993)
U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002 Name: Carl W Mundinger Address: 4014 Claitor Way City: San Jose State: California Zip Code: 95132-3211 Phone Number: 408-258-6877 Residence Years: 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Carl Mundinger was born in 1916 in Malterdingen, Germany. When he was 6 years old, his parents immigrated to the United States and settled in Peoria, Illinois. His father purchased a farm in S E Missouri when Carl was a young adult and he and his brother, George, moved there to farm it. While he was there he met his future bride. Pauline. When World War II broke out, Carl volunteered for the armed services and was scheduled to report to Fort Riley, Kansas. But the local draft board intervened and told him that because he was such a highly productive farmer who owned his own equipment, he could do more for the war effort if he stayed home and farmed.
Carl and Pauline were married in December, 1942. In October 1943, they purchased a 160 acre farm in Humboldt, Kansas and moved there. During the war years there were so many men in the military that there was a shortage of pastors in the area. Carl filled in as a lay circuit preacher in 4 local Methodist churches. Three of his 4 daughters were born during their years in Humboldt.
In 1947, the district superintendent told Carl of a small congregation in Berryton, Kansas (which is near Topeka), that had plans for a church building. The superintendent asked Carl if he would go there for 2 years to pastor and build the new church. God provided supernaturally for the building materials and for volunteer labor from the community, and at the time of its dedication it was debt free. After the dedication, his mission fulfilled, Carl and Pauline moved their family back to Humboldt where he continued to serve as a lay pastor. In 2007, Paula visited Berryton and found the church her father had built still being used. The church has since built 2 larger sanctuaries and continues to thrive.
In 1952, Carl and Pauline rented their farm out, packed up their belongings and moved to San Jose, Ca. He found work in construction building new houses. They began meeting with a small fellowship with a few other families in a fruit shed and this was the beginning of the San Jose Evangelical Free Church. This church outgrew its second location on Newport Ave. in Willow Glen; changed its name to the Hillside Evangelical Free Church and moved to its present location.
In 1955, he became a licensed general contractor. He built many custom homes around the Santa Clara Valley and constructed, at cost, new churches and church remodels/expansions. A few years later, he also became a licensed plumber. Daughter number 4, Anna, was born in 1955. In 1964-5, Carl built the home in which he spent the rest of his life.
About 30 years ago, the Free Church district superintendent, Dr. Houser, talked to Carl about establishing a church on the north side of San Jose. It began as a bible fellowship in Carl and Pauline's home, and moved into a public school. Property was purchased on Sierra Road, and Carl contracted to build the church pro bono with the assistance of professional and volunteer labor. The new building began its life as the Beryessa Evangelical Free Church and is now called the Berryessa Community Church.
Carl retired gradually from building and plumbing and now spent more time in his large yard and with plumbing projects at his home. He continued to be active in many other things, one of which was the Gideon ministry. As a life-long member, he shared the gospel with all who would listen and passed out many Bibles and other literature. He remained active in the Gideon ministry into his 80s and 90s. When he was 85, he and another Gideon were reprimanded by a school principal for passing out gospel literature from the public sidewalk outside a local high school.
In February 2009, he broke his leg in a fall, but continued to exercise and work around his yard, even from his wheelchair. He talked a lot about heaven and how he looked forward to the glories he would find there. In February 2010, he was diagnosed with cancer that had spread throughout his bones. Through his last months he checked his email, his financial data, and continued to support several missionary works he and Pauline had supported for many years. He often measured the cost of his giving by how many Bibles it would buy.
He went to be with his beloved Lord July 13th, peacefully and at home with his family around him. His zeal, determination, his laugh will be missed.
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