JOHN F. RODRIGUEZ

It is with heavy hearts; we announce the passing of John F. Rodriguez (Champ) of Freeland.

Born December 19, 1964, in Wilkes-Barre and reared in Plymouth, he graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School, playing football, baseball and wrestling and Penn State University, where he earned his Associate Degree in Engineering.  He was employed for 36 years by Barletta Materials, Nescopeck as a Quality Control Supervisor.  When his daughters were young, he spent many years as President of Larksville Greenwave Mini Football and Cheerleading organizations, resurrecting the field house and now dedicated the John Rodriguez field house.

In recent years, he enjoyed entertaining family and friends at his and Ruth's home, always keeping busy with projects or adding a new addition to the property.  He loved a good football game, was an avid Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers Fan and loved his nightly phone calls with his mother, while watching the news or Lawrence Welk.  He enjoyed road trips, flea marketing, watching birds, gardening, canning, listening to music while relaxing on his patio, under his newly built pole barn with Ruth, thinking of the next project, always spending time together, which he wanted no other way.

Pop Pop adored all his grandchildren from coaching, giving helpful hints with sports, teaching, playing games, cheering them on and we cannot forget the quad rides!

Everyone's "handyman" and our families go too. Never a project too big, he would methodically think it out, draw it up, and away we go.  The problem solver on multiple levels, knowledgeable on all aspects of life, and for this we are forever thankful. 

John was preceded in death by his daughter, Kaylin Jonelle Rodriguez.

He is survived by his mother and best friend, Loretta Rodriguez; by his daughter, Kassie Rodriguez and her fiancé, Greg Solis, of Pringle and their 5 children; sister, Teresa Rodriguez (Harry) of Plymouth; John's companion, Ruth Mason of Freeland, and her 4 children, BobbiJo (Vince); Karissa (John); Robbie (Drea); Nathan (Joeline) and their 14 grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022, from 5 to 7 pm at the Desiderio-Lehman Funeral and Cremation, 436 S. Mountain Blvd. Mountain Top with a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, at 9:30 am in Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, 898 Centre Street, Freeland.  Those attending the Mass are asked to go directly to the church.  Interment will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery, Pringle.

Everyone is asked to wear a mask to both visitation and Mass.

Since John was a transplant recipient, in lieu of flowers, we ask everyone to consider being an Organ Donor or make donations to Epilepsy Children's Hospital and Research Center or Operation Smile.

"Until We Meet Again"
 

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