Oneonta, NY - ONEONTA - Leonard William Pudelka, 91, died peacefully at home on Jan. 25, 2026.

Born Oct. 27, 1934 in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, to John and Anna (Valuch) Pudelka, he was the youngest of five sons.

Leonard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps a year after graduating from Nesquehoning High School. He served three years (1953 - 1956) active duty during the Korean War and five years in inactive reserves at various Marine Corps bases.

Following his discharge, he worked several jobs before deciding to take advantage of the G.I. Bill. He attended East Stroudsburg State Teachers College where he met his wife, Virginia. They married on Aug. 12, 1961 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Len graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies. He continued his education at Syracuse University, earning master's and doctorate degrees in History. He joined Hartwick College in 1966 as an instructor and spent 36 years as Professor of American and British History, including three terms as Department Chair. Len led several study abroad programs with Hartwick College students during his tenure. He participated on several faculty committees and in 1968 established the Nu Theta Chapter of the Phi Alpha Theta Honorary History Fraternity. He retired in 2001.

Leonard was an active community member who volunteered at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, the Civil War Roundtable, Opportunities for Otsego, and Catskill Symphony Orchestra. He was a member of and taught classes for CCAL and was a Docent at The Fenimore Art Museum. He was also a longstanding member at Atonement Lutheran Church in Oneonta, where he chaired the Worship and Music Committee and sang in the choir.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Gilmore Pudelka; daughter, Lisa (David) Weiss of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; son, Glenn (Janel) Pudelka of Millis, Massachusetts; grandchildren, William (Jenna) Weiss, Hana Weiss, Madeline Pudelka and Benjamin Pudelka; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, John, Paul, Thomas, and Robert.

Visitation will be noon. to 1 p.m., with a funeral service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Febr. 21 at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1 Center St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Paul Messner officiating. Military honors will conclude services at the church, followed by a reception in the church social hall.

A private interment at Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta, will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Atonement Lutheran Church, 1 Center St., Oneonta or to the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, PO Box 814, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements are entrusted with Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.lhpfuneralhome.com