Jon Otis VanderWeele, age 80, of North East, PA passed away 19 July 2023 at his home after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jon aka, “Sonny” was born in Kalamazoo Michigan to John and Elsie (née Simon) VanderWeele but grew up and spent his entire life in North East. He worked as an analytical chemist, a manager of a juice processing plant, and as an electronics technician in Erie. He was an avid collector of antiques and oddities, a HAM radio operator, and a teller of bad jokes and puns. Jon was a complex man who was generous with his time, knowledge, and expertise. He enjoyed driving through the countryside; sightseeing, collecting roadside treasures, and sharing dinners with his friend Nancy Luke.
Jon attended Riverside Military Academy in his youth and later graduated from Gannon University with a B.S. in Chemistry. He was a member of St Peter’s Lutheran Church and Master Mason at the lodge in North East.
Jon is preceded in death by his parents John and Elsie and his older brother Dr. Alan J. VanderWeele of Corry, PA. He is survived by his girlfriend Nancy Luke and his many children and grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the W. Tad Bowers Funeral Home at 92 Lake Street North East, PA 16428 with calling hours on Saturday, 22 July 2023 from 4-6 pm and a memorial service immediately following at the funeral home. Pastor Matthew E. Dennison will officiate. Interment will be private at North East Cemetery. To send condolences, please visit www.bowersfuneralhome.com.
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