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Roderick L. "Rod" Baronner, 79, of Altoona, passed away Saturday at UPMC Altoona after a brief illness. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Leo and Virginia (Dibert) Baronner.
Rod married Rose Marie Ergler on Nov. 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) in 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 U.S. Army National Guard.
He retired from AT&T with more than 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 de Paul Food for Families/Sister Paula's Soup Kitchen. Rod especially loved his family, grandchildren and his dogs.
Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona, where a vigil for the deceased will be held.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 511 20th St., Altoona, with Father Lubomir Strecok, celebrant.
The family kindly requests that contributions be made in Rod's memory to St. Vincent de Paul Food for Families, 2201 Union Ave., Altoona, PA 16601; American Cancer Society, cancer.org/givehope; or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 511 20th St., Altoona, PA 16602.
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.