“beloved brother, uncle, and friend”

Rodney L. “Rod” Van Pelt, 68, of Hebron, PA passed away in his home with his loving family and furbabies by his side on Saturday, October 22, 2022, after a short illness.

Rod was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School, Class of 1972, in Shinglehouse.  He attended Williamsport Area Community College.  Rod was employed as a machinist at the former Dresser-Rand in Olean, N.Y., until retiring due to ill health.

Born on Tuesday, March 2, 1954 in Coudersport, PA, he was a son of RLee and Barbara J. Hyde Van Pelt.

Rod was member of the Oswayo Valley Rod and Gun Club in Millport and was a member of the NRA.  In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed hunting for turkeys, pheasants, deer, and bear.   He mentored youth in pheasant hunting. He was an avid yardsaler, always looking to add to his many collections, which included a vast number of turkey calls. He also enjoyed playing poker.

 Rod loved to make people laugh…always having a joke to tell or share on Facebook.  He loved and cherished his dogs,  Cocoa, Willow, and Malibu.  They were his furbabies and hunting companions.

 Left to cherish his memory are two sisters, Deborah J. Perkins of Sweden Valley and Deanna L. (David) Johnston of Oswayo; nine nieces and nephews; many grandnieces and grandnephews; several great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews; two uncles, Donald (Pat) Hyde of Eleven Mile and Douglas (Linda) Hyde of Genesee; an aunt, Fran Stilson of Shinglehouse; several cousins; and many friends.

 Family and friends may call from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday and from noon to 1pm on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, where funeral services will follow at 1pm, with Pastor Fred Kemp of Potter County Baptist Church, Shinglehouse, officiating.  Burial will be in Chrystal Cemetery, Eleven Mile Road, Shinglehouse.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oswayo Valley Rod and Gun Club, PO Box 186, Shinglehouse, PA 16748 or to Teacher’s Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915.

 Rod’s family has entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

 To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Rod, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.