HERKIMER-John Robert VanPelt Jr. age 43, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Homelife at Folts. He was surrounded with the love and comfort of his devoted family. He was born on May 23, 1973, in Herkimer, son of the late John Sr. and Mabel Anderson VanPelt. John was raised in Ilion and graduated from Ilion High School with the class of 1992. He was a resident of Little Falls before moving to Herkimer in 2014. For many years he worked as a manager for the McDonalds Corporation retiring in 2015. John was artistic and in his leisure time found much joy in drawing and crocheting. To all who knew him he was a caring, gentle and loving son, brother and uncle with an unforgettable smile. He will be deeply missed by his many friends and family. Surviving are his sister, Laura Archer and her husband Wayne of Ilion, one brother, James VanPelt of Wilmington, NC, three nieces, Kimberly, Hayleigh and Ryan, one nephew, Dylan, three great nieces and several cousins. A funeral service for Mr. VanPelt was held on Monday in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer with the Reverend Janet Gleason, Pastor of the First United Methodist Herkimer/Little Falls officiating. It was Johns wish that the interment be private and take place at a later time convenient to the family.