Tyler James Kulp

Tyler James Kulp, 27, of Laureldale, passed away Saturday May 3rd in Armstrong County as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

Tyler was married to Bethany (Plants) Kulp. Tyler and Bethany were married August 5, 2012.

Born in West Reading, he is the son of Thomas James Siegfried and Cecily (Kulp) Siegfried of Laureldale.

He was a member of One United Church of Christ in Kenhorst.

Surviving with Tyler's wife and parents is a daughter, Hannah Jewell at home, a brother, Sayre Thomas Kulp, husband of Heather and a niece Haley Kulp of New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Paternal grandparents, Rev. David P. Siegfried and Eleanor M. Siegfried of Wyomissing.

Tyler devoted his life to education. Beginning his studies at Holy Guardian Angels, he would graduate from Muhlenberg Schools as a member of the class of 2004. His Bachelor's of Arts in Music Education came from Kutztown University and he was planning to receive his Master's of Fine Arts in Music Performance this Saturday from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a 4.0 GPA. Tyler was a recipient of the Graduate Student Research Grant in Fall of 2013 and the Dean's Award for Excellence in the Graduate Scholars Research Forum.

He was an instructor for Tulpehocken Virtual Academy, as well as a substitute teacher for various schools throughout Berks County. Recently, he had become more involved with online teaching and was a consultant for Blendedschools.net as a course developer, editor, and releaser.

When not in the classroom, Tyler was still teaching and always developing young people. He was the assistant Junior High Boys & Girls Soccer Coach at Tulpehocken. He was also very involved with local marching bands, having held positions at Wilson Southern Jr. High as an Assistant Drum Instructor and Assistant Guard Instructor, Drill Instructor at Kutztown High School, Drum Sergeant at Muhlenberg High School, and was a section leader during his time at Kutztown University. In the summer months he worked at the Laureldale Playground.


Music was a huge part of Tyler's life - specifically Drum Corps. He was involved with the Reading Buccaneers Alumni, Lehigh Valley Chieftains, New York Skyliners, Windsor Regiment, Harrisburg Westshoremen, Emmaus Sentinels, and Shenandoah Sound where he was an Assistant Drum Major.

Tyler was an all-around athlete, but especially enjoyed running. He had completed numerous marathons and even an ultra-marathon. He was a Boston Marathon qualifier and had planned on running it in April 2015. He also enjoyed biking with his brother, Sayre. On one such ride up Mount Penn, they discovered an abandoned a cat. Tyler's heart of gold led him to both aid in the cat's rescue and adopting the cat from the Animal Rescue League. He was the youngest person ever inducted into the Pennsylvania Drum Corp. Hall of Fame.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday May 10th at 11 am in Immanuel United Church of Christ, 99 S. Waverly St., Shillington, PA 19607. with Rev. Rebecca Hoover officiating.

A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 5pm until 8 pm in the Milkins Giles Funeral Home, Inc., 4914 Kutztown Rd., Temple and Saturday morning from 9am until time of service in Immanuel UCC.

Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Tyler's memory to a trust for Hannah Jewell c/o One United Church of Christ - 1730 New Holland Ave. - Kenhorst, PA 19607