Roderick L. “Rod” Baronner

November 24, 1946-September 12, 2026

Roderick L. “Rod” Baronner, 79, of Altoona, passed away Saturday at UPMC Altoona after a brief illness. He was born in Altoona, the son of the late Leo and Virginia (Dibert) Baronner.

Rod married Rose Marie Ergler on November 14, 1992 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

He is survived by his loving wife; his two sons: John Castle (Lynn) and Todd Castle (Deborah) both of Hollidaysburg; two daughters: Lisa Castle-Dively (Jason Steinbugl) of Altoona and Renee Blair (Scott) of South Carolina; seven grandchildren: Evan, Sarah, Aidan, Emerson, Tyler, Lindsay and Olivia; and a great-granddaughter: Riley. Rod is also survived by his brother: Randal Baronner (Theresa) of Altoona and two sisters: Marilyn Bevan of Hollidaysburg and Paula Baronner of Johnstown; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rod was a 1964 graduate of Altoona High School and served in the US Army National Guard.

He retired from AT&T with over 30 years of service as a technician.

Rod was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

He was a train and model train enthusiast, a history buff and enjoyed volunteering at St. Vincent DePaul Food for Families/Sr. Paula’s Soup Kitchen. Rod especially loved his family, grandchildren and his dogs.

Friends will be received from 4-7 pm, Thursday, September 17, 2026 at The Stevens Mortuary, Inc., 1421 8th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602, where a vigil for the deceased will be held.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am, Friday, September 18, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 511 20th Street, Altoona, PA 16602, with Fr. Lubomir Strecok, celebrant.

The family kindly requests that contributions be made in Rod’s memory to: St. Vincent DePaul Food for Families, 2201 Union Ave., Altoona, Pa. 16601, American Cancer Society, cancer.org/givehope or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 511 20th Street, Altoona, PA 16602.

Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.