John "Rod" Hendel

John Roderick “Rod” Hendel, 70, of Wyomissing Park, Reading, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2023 at The Reading Hospital. He was the loving husband to Elizabeth Jo (Breneiser) for over 37 years of marriage. Born in Reading, Rod was the son of John Hendel (late of 2013) and Caroline Ann (Leach) Hendel of Exeter Twp and Lincoln Park. Rod attended St. John’s in Shillington and was among the first class to attend Holy Name High School when it opened in 1964. Rod earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Penn State University. Rod also studied at The Art Students League in Woodstock, New York, and at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Rod worked as a telephone technician for the Bell Telephone Company, ROLM, Siemens, and retired recently from Comstar Technologies. More of Rod’s life will be shared online at www.beanfuneralhomes.com

In addition to his wife, Betsy, Rod is survived by his children and grandchild; daughter Johanna Morgen Kiernan, wife of Kelly Francis Kiernan of Phoenixville Pa., Rod’s (Ra Ra’s) grandson, Liam Francis Kiernan, and son, Samuel Harrison Hendel. He is also survived by his brothers, Timothy Hendel, David Hendel, husband of Betty, and James Hendel, husband of Michelle. Rod is predeceased by his brother, Raymond Scott Hendel, who passed in 2019.

Family and friends were treasures to Rod, each and every one.

Funeral service for Rod will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Online guestbook and condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com

As Written By Rod...

Dateline Joan Terrace Reading Pa. USA, Earth,

John Roderick Hendel,aka Jacques de les Hommes Pep, aka Klaus Friedrich Von Hendl-Steubel, aka Karl Gustav King of Finland, eldest son of John and Caroline Moon Hendel of Reading PA., was finally victorious in his long struggle with life.

He was formally trained as a visual artist and was an amatuer wood craftsman by the grace and instruction of his father. He was a narcissist, and a professional technician for Bell Telephone,PTC Corporation, ROLM, Siemens Communications, STC services of Allentown Pa.and most recently Comstar Inc West Chester Pa., and was thoroughly incompetent at a wide variety of other endeavors.

He attended St. John the Baptist School in Shillington, Holy name High school, Penn State

University, Kutztown University, The Art students League in Woodstock New York , The North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as the Siemens technical School in Erving, Texas. managing to delude most that he had acquired more than a rudimentary education.

He was honored to be a brother to Raymond Scott, David Christopher, Timothy Sean , and James Francis Hendel, with whom he spent an idyllic youth and with whom in adulthood, debauched himself at every opportunity. He had few close friends except for the estimable

Eric Heavener, aka. Dr. Wu Chi, who saw right through him, and Christopher " the Pin" Maza, thought to be a bastard brother of the Hendel boys.

Mr. Hendel's proudest accomplishments were fooling Elizabeth J. Breneiser into become his beloved wife and companion,counselor and protector, and the gifts she gave him of his daughter and treasure Johanna Morgen Hendel, and his most constant source of pleasure

Mr.Samuel Harrison Hendel, thoughtful and beloved son. He was known to have thought himself unworthy of his wonderful family.

Mr. Hendel was known by friends and acquaintances to be an accomplished liar and exaggerator, confused, and verbose, butpossessed of good manners and an adequate vocabulary. He bought better quality clothing. He was a notorious coward and made no excuses for his lack of class.

He was a passionate contrarian and advocate of unpopular causes, somewhat intolerant of those whose opinions he considered obtuse, but he was respectful to elderly women and kind to dogs. He did kick cats when unobserved.

When the effects of his religious training wore off, he became a lazy Atheist, which did not inhibit him from worshipping at the Church of William Breneiser most Sundays, and was observed to take the sacriment six or eight times, with chasers.

Unknown to many who thought they knew him, he was the errant King of Finland, serving incogito to the Finish populace for 65 years, and worked tiresomely in their international interest. Although he could never acquire a taste for their fish or the Tango, He did enjoy the blonds and his subjects habit of avoiding eye contact on public conveyances. .

In addition he was the founder of the "International Lawn Diving Association" and lifetime member of "The extremely high Council" who declared him "totus,terras,atque,rotundas". In his nomination he was sited for anecdotal qualifications "te profundo ad neauseo". He was instrumental in the seminal development of many "falling" games.

At Mr. Hendels request his remains will be burned and dispersed thus avoiding the embarassment of a viewing, the expense of an open bar, and any costly celebrations which he could not attend and freeload per his lifetime habit.

Donations and testimonials can be made ,by Mr. Hendels request, at any of the fine Bars or Taverns of the city of Reading. "Have two for me on you" he said, "I would.