“Hop” Russell Melvin Woodburn 76, of Avella, was born October 23, 1949, and passed away on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, at home with his family by his side and was reunited with his parents, William A.

“Hop” Russell Melvin Woodburn 76, of Avella, was born October 23, 1949, and passed away on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, at home with his family by his side and was reunited with his parents, William A. and Dorothy L. Mull Woodburn and his brothers, Jiggs, Itsy, Woody, and Fred.He married Estelle Marie Joseph on July 29, 1981, who survives, and together they had three children, Philip “Tino” of Bozeman, MT; Joseph (Jamie) of Avella; and Elizabeth of Avella; Hop was Pap to three grandkids, Ethan, Layla, and Melvin, and had one furry little friend, Blu, whom he insisted on calling “Duke.” His grandson Melvin was his shadow; his best buddy, his fishing partner, and his favorite person in the world. He is also survived by his sister, Doris J. Peterson (Wayne); and several nieces and nephews.He lived his life with a full heart, a restless spirit, and a story always worth telling. Known to nearly everyone simply as Hop, he was wild, wonderful, and unforgettable to the people lucky enough to know him.Hop spent 40 years working as a longwall coal miner at the Windsor Power Mine, where he earned the respect of the men beside him through hard work, grit, and humor. Mining was demanding work, but when that hole was dug, he wouldn’t sit down because it was time to dig another one and Hop carried himself with the same fearless energy underground that he brought to every part of life.A true hippie at heart, Hop loved good times, loud concerts, motorcycles, and the freedom of the open road. With his big beard, rebellious streak, and gift for making friends anywhere he landed, he could turn an ordinary night into a legendary one. Friends knew that Hop could roll a joint faster than anyone could smoke one and could even roll one while riding his motorcycle at 69 mph. His black lung never seemed to slow his appetite for living life wide open. He would try anything once and the things he liked he try twice.Hop loved traveling across the country, choosing back roads over highways and adventure over routine. He hunted deer and elk, fished lakes for walleye and rivers for salmon, and found peace in the outdoors. Whether gathered around a campfire, parked at a concert, or swapping stories late into the night, he lived fully, loudly, and on his own terms.Hop enjoyed the simple pleasures in life; hanging out with his buddies, bullshitting, watching sports, and fishing down at Raccoon Valley Sportsmen’s Club — where he happily spent most of his free time. He enjoyed laughing and joking with one of his best friends, Cole Heckman, cracking open an I.C. Light, and buying beer for anyone who needed one.More than anything, Hop will be remembered for his free spirit, his humor, his toughness, and the joy he brought into the lives of others. He leaves behind countless stories, deep friendships, and memories that will live on wherever people gather to laugh, ride, hunt, fish, travel, or raise a cold beer in his honor.He will be deeply missed and as long as we remember him, he’ll never be gone, he’ll just fishing somewhere we can’t see yet.A celebration of life will be held at a later date.All funeral arrangements are being handled by Jerome A. Stefkovich Funeral Home Inc., Avella, PA. Condolences may be expressed at www.stefkovichfuneralhome.com.