The Reverend Monsignor Dennis T. Hartgen, 72, Pastor Emeritus, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading, died at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, on Wednesday, November 21, 2018. Born in Reading, Monsignor Hartgen is a son of the late John and Margaret (Keltz) Hartgen. He is survived by his brother, John W. Hartgen of Williamsburg, Virginia, and his sister, M. Patricia Soliday of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Monsignor Hartgen attended Sacred Heart School, West Reading, and is a graduate of Reading Central Catholic High School, Reading. He attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and a Masters of Divinity Degree in Theology.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 19, 1973, by Most Reverend Joseph M. McShea, Bishop of Allentown, at Saint Thomas More Church, Allentown. He received Papal Honors and was conferred a Monsignor on September 11, 2005, by Pope Saint John Paul II.

Monsignor Hartgen’s first priestly assignment was Parochial Vicar, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Whitehall; then Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Siena, Allentown. His first pastoral assignment was Pastor, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Pen Argyl; Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish, Mohnton; and, Pastor, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading.

During the course of his priestly ministry, Monsignor Hartgen served as Vicar Forane, Berks Deanery; Member, Committee on Ecumenism; Special Advocate, Diocesan Tribunal; Defender of the Bond, Diocesan Tribunal; Member of Budget and Advisory Board, Saint Pius X High School, Roseto; Judge, Diocesan Tribunal; and Board Member, Reading Central Catholic High School, Reading.

Monsignor Hartgen retired on June 19, 2018, and was named Pastor Emeritus, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Monsignor Hartgen will be celebrated at Holy Guardian Angels Church, 3121 Kutztown Road, Reading, on Friday, November 30, 2018, at 11:00 AM by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be Reverend Monsignor Aloysius R. Callaghan, Rector Emeritus, Saint Paul Seminary School for Divinity, Saint Paul.

Main Concelebrants will be Reverend Monsignor David L. James, Vicar General; Reverend Adam C. Sedar, Secretary for Clergy; Reverend Robert T. Finlan, Pastor, Holy Guardian Angels Parish; Reverend Keith A. Mathur, Assistant in the Diocesan Curia and Director, Office for Divine Worship; Reverend John M. Gibbons, Pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Allentown and Administrator, Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Allentown; Reverend John S. Pendzick, Pastor, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Whitehall, Reverend Monsignor Kenneth P. McAteer, Pastor, Saint Ephrem Parish, Bensalem; Reverend Richard H. Clement, Pastor, Saint John Baptiste de la Salle Parish, Shillington; Reverend E. Michael Camilli, M.S.C., Senior Priest, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading, and Reverend Monsignor Aloysius R. Callaghan.

Interment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, Reading.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2018, at Holy Guardian Angels Church, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Friday, November 30, 2018, at Holy Guardian Angels Church from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

A Vigil Service will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2018, at 7:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Monsignor Hartgen’s honor may be made to Holy Guardian Angels R.C. Church at the address above, or to Holy Family Villa, 1325 Prospect Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.