H. Carl Rodgers, Jr., 93, of 203 Emerald Street in Oil City, went to “God’s Millionth Acre” Saturday afternoon, May 23, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born April 11, 1922 in Bredinsburg, and was the son of the late H. Carl Rodgers, Sr. and Ethel (Bean) Rodgers.

He attended schools in Bredinsburg before enlisting in the U.S. Army, and served during World War II from 1943-1945. He served with the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion and helped to build the first pontoon bridge over the Rhine River. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and was on the beaches of Normandy three days following the D-Day invasion.

Carl was a life member of the Oil City V.F.W., the Eagles Club, the P.N.A., and the Pulaski Club. In his earlier years, he was active with the Bredinsburg United Methodist Church, and later attended with his wife, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Oil City.

Carl was an avid hunter and sportsman, enjoying hunting trips to Colorado and Wyoming, and taking fishing trips into Canada. He served as president of Harold’s Fishing Club. He and his wife organized many trips to area casinos.

Mr. Rodgers was employed in his earlier years by Swift Meat Company and Sardoni Construction. He then became employed by G.T.E. (General Telephone and Electric Co.) as an engineer and a repair lineman. He retired from there in 1984 after 42 years of service. He was a member of the I.B.E.W. #1634.

He was married in Assumption B.V.M. Church in Oil City on September 10, 1946 to the former Mary L. Ostrowski, and she preceded him in death on December 26, 2012.

Surviving are four children: Sherry Stoltenburg and her husband Chip of Oil City, Terry Rodgers and wife Rita of Seneca, Vicky London of Oil City and her companion, Jeff “Duff” Daugherty of Seneca, and Rick Rodgers and wife Jane of Longmont, Colorado; seven grandchildren, including: Scott Stoltenburg of Derby, New York, Stacey McFall of Oil City, Shawn Rodgers of Seneca, Cammie Delaney of Franklin, Matt Rodgers of Centennial, Colorado, and Tara Segura of Englewood, Colorado; fifteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Rodgers was the last surviving member of his immediate family. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Violet Miller, Vivian Flinchbaugh, and Dora Harry; and a brother, Bob Rodgers.

Family and friends will be received Wednesday (May 27) from 3-7 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home Thursday (May 28th) at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, pastor of St. Stephen Catholic Church, officiating. Full military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard following the funeral.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Oil City.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Venango V.N.A. Foundation, 491 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin, PA 16323 or Veteran’s Affairs of Venango County, 464 Allegheny Blvd, Franklin PA 16323.

Condolences may be submitted to the family online by visiting www.hilebest.com