Robert 'Bob' E. O'Donnell

Robert E. "Bob" O'Donnell, 81, of New Bloomfield, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 4:35 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, at UPMC Pinnacle West Shore Hospital, Mechanicsburg.

Born Oct. 24, 1937, in New Lancaster Valley, he was a son of the late John H. and Bertha (Joe) O'Donnell.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: brothers, Silas, William and John O'Donnell; and sisters, Faye Lehman, Emily Rager, Margaret Savitts, Molly Weader, Ruth Aumiller, Lena Goss and a sister in infancy.

Bob is survived by: his wife, Darla (Vanada) O'Donnell, whom he married March 15, 1958; children, Kathy O'Donnell, of New Bloomfield, Gary O'Donnell and wife, Suzanne, of Wilmington, Del., and John O'Donnell and wife, Heather, of Carlisle; seven grandchildren, Marleen, Jason, Finnley, Keenan, Hannah, John and Samuel; seven step-grandchildren, Justin, Tyler, Greg, Cherie, Pamela, Tommy and Jenny; great-grandchildren, Lukas and Declan; and siblings, David J. O'Donnell and wife, Glenda, and Beulah O'Donnell, all of New Lancaster Valley.

Bob graduated from Armagh/Brown Joint High School, Class of 1955.

He was a Vietnam War veteran and member of the Army Reserve from 1955 to 1968, with the 491st Combat Engineer Battalion of Lewistown, achieving the rank of staff sergeant.

In his earlier years, he attended Centre Union Church near Strodes Mills.  Most recently, Bob attended Great Hope Baptist Church in Carlisle.

Bob was employed at Beaver Brothers Bakery in Burnham, the Lewistown Electric Company, Marhoefer Bakeries in Altoona where he was production superintendent of bakeries, and Stroehman Brothers Bakery in Harrisburg.

He was a former member of Marhoefer and Anzio Italian Bakeries, American Society of Bakery Engineers, Pennsylvania Bakers Association, Kiwanis Club of Altoona and United Way of Altoona.

Bob was an avid gardener and a devoted Boston Red Sox fan.  His favorite player was Marcus "Mookie" Betts.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Woodlawn, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at the funeral home, with Pastor Joel Barrick and Pastor Dale Barrick officiating.

Interment will take place at Juniata Memorial Park, with military honors by VFW Post 7011, Lewistown.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bob's memory to Great Hope Baptist Church, 110 Fern Ave., Carlisle, PA 17013.   

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