RLee Van Pelt

RLee Van Pelt                   “beloved husband, father and grandfather”

HEBRON, PA---RLee Van Pelt, 87, of Hebron, formerly of Oswayo, passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 in Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, after a short illness.
    Born December 10, 1926 in Coudersport, he was a son of Arthur and Dorothy Thompson Van Pelt.  On June 6, 1948 in the Chrystal United Methodist Church, he married Barbara J. Hyde, who survives.
     He attended the Coneville Country School.  RLee honorably served in the U.S. Army during World War II, attaining the rank of Corporal.  
     He was employed by Sylvania Electric in Emporium and later retired from Air-Preheater in Wellsville, NY where he was employed as a welder for over 27 years.  After retiring, RLee ran an air tool repair business.
     He was a member of the Potter County Fair Board for many years.  In 2013 he received the Outstanding Fair Ambassador Award presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.  RLee was extremely proud of this award.  He was a member of the Shinglehouse American Legion Post #530.  He was a former mayor of Oswayo, had also served on the Oswayo Borough Council, and was a former Republican Committeeman for Oswayo.  RLee was a founding member of the former Oswayo Fire Department.
     He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, mowing his lawn, and watching his grandchildren play sports.  He loved his dog Apache whom he adopted with the help of Teacher’s Pet Rescue.  He enjoyed spending time riding his UTV, which was a gift from his sister.  He was proud to make maple syrup “the old way”.  He will be remembered for his “big Pelt’s secret chicken sauce”.  
     Surviving besides his wife are three children, Deborah J. Perkins of Lantz Corners, Rodney L. Van Pelt of Hebron, and Deanna L. (David) Johnston of Oswayo; nine grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Charleen Rubar of Oswayo.
     In addition to his parents, RLee was predeceased by a son Randy Van Pelt in 1978.
     Friends may call Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, PA where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2014 with the Rev. Fred E. Kemp, pastor of the Potter County Baptist Church, Shinglehouse, officiating.  Burial will be in Chrystal Cemetery.
     Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord military honors on Saturday.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Teacher’s Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915.