Rodney B. Millard, age 88, of Wyalusing, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, February 4, 2026, at the Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA.

Rodney was born on January 11, 1938, in Rush Township, PA, and was the son of the late John Amasa Millard (d. September 3, 2005). He was raised in the Meshoppen area and graduated from the Tunkhannock Area School class of 1956. During high school, he would work on the family Crispell Dairy Farm in Noxen, PA.

After graduating from high school, Rodney lived a very adventurous life. He worked on pipelines in Alaska and dropped supplies off with aircraft. After that, he moved back down to the contiguous 48 and took up contracting in Budd Lake, New Jersey. On December 4, 1959, Rodney married the love of his life, Alita Sterling. Rodney and Alita moved back to Northeastern PA where they settled on Sterling Hill.

In 1965, Rodney and Alita opened the Tastee Freez in Wyalusing, PA, which they owned and operated until 1983. It was here that they started as just an ice cream shop and grew it into a family restaurant. They loved hosting the children by the busload on the last day of school. Rodney never forgot all the lifelong friends that he and Alita made throughout the years.

Rodney was a jack-of-all-trades; in the early years, worked on the family farm, then Farm & Home, before starting his own business Millard’s Plumbing, Heating & Wiring. He worked for the Williams Oil Company, then Agway, which later became Suburban Propane. When he finally retired, he would never stop working because he was always there to lend a hand when someone needed help, whether it would be for parts, money, or food.

When he was not working, Rodney lived a very community-oriented lifestyle. He was a dedicated 50+ year member and Past Master of the Roman LeRay Franklin Lodge #418 F&AM, where he was famously known for making his Oyster Stew. He was also a very dedicated Shriner; he was a member of the Camptown Community Church and volunteered with the Camptown Races. He and his wife founded the Wyalusing 4-H Horse and Pony Club and volunteered their time for over 20 years. Rodney and his family also enjoyed spending time at their cottage in Quicks Bend.

When Rodney was not partaking in community events, you could find him collecting many “treasures,” as he called them. He loved going to auctions, roller skating, square dancing, and skiing, whether on snow or on water. After retirement, he and Alita enjoyed spending winters in Florida for the last 20 years and looked forward to attending the Bradford County Picnic and his class reunions.

Besides his wife of 66 years Alita Millard, Rodney is survived by; daughters, Valerie Millard Shatinsky of Wyalusing, PA, Beth Shaw (Michael) of Sayre, PA, Christa Millard (Rick Antonetti) of Sayre, PA, and Stephanie Brown (James) of Herrickville, PA; his grandchildren, Adrielle Elsbree (Ethan) of Sayre, PA, Colin Blemle (LaDonna) of Wyalusing, PA, John Mitchell Shaw (Maria) of Sayre, PA, Michael Shaw (Paige) of Waverly, NY, Sara Franks (Devon) of Gillett, PA, Joshua Brown (Sara) of Browntown, PA, Amanda Brown (Cole Robbins) of Chicago, IL; his great-grandchildren, Flint and Bowyer Elsbree, RaeLea, Tucker, and Brynn Harvey, Carson Blemle, Harper and Joseph Franks, and baby Shaw on the way; his brothers-in-laws, Mason Sterling (Andrea) of Laceyville, PA, and Dr. Scott Sterling (Elaine Sabo) of Wysox, PA; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his father, Rodney is preceded in death by; his grandparents who raised him, Susie and Harry Millard; his son, Mitchell Millard (d. November 28, 1974); his son-in-law, Bradley Shatinsky (d. November 25, 2025); his father and mother-in-law, Lewis Sterling (d. November 15, 2001), Dorothy Sterling (d. October 14, 2004); and his siblings Kay, Mary, and Calvin “Butch”.

A Funeral Service for Rodney will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the Sheldon Funeral Home in Wyalusing, PA, 155 Church St., Wyalusing, PA 18853, officiated by Reverend Helen Learn of the Camptown Community Church. The service will begin with a Masonic Service presented by the members of the Roman LeRay Franklin Lodge #418 F&AM. Family and Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM until time of the service. Interment will be in the Camptown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Rodney’s name to the Shriners Hospital of Philadelphia 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140. Or on their website https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/

Online condolences may be made at www.SheldonFuneralHomes.com.