John "Jack" A. Rodes

On November 29th, 2024, our Father, Jack Rodes, was called into eternal life by the loving God he had served faithfully all his life. He left his Children, Grandchildren and great-Grandchildren with a legacy of love, leadership, an excellent work ethic and a dedication to serving God, his family, his Catholic Church and School family and his Munson family. Jack was born on December 16th, 1934 on the Rodes family farm in Kingsley Michigan, He was the 4th and "surprise" child of Tony and Pauline Rodes who were expecting only one baby but received two blessings that day, our Dad Jack and his beautiful twin sister Joan who he adored and cherished all his life. He gained his work ethic on that farm and still found time for school sports where he earned the first regional and state medals in track for Kingsley High School. He went on to share his love of all sports by helping to establish the St. Francis Athletic Department which he supported as a board member. He chaired many fundraisers and coached the middle school basketball team among many other accomplishments. His golden years found him still coaching from his favorite armchair including the last day of his life watching the high school football state championship games on TV with family. He was looking forward to his favorite Division 7 game at 10am the next morning and without a doubt ended up with the best seat in the house. He also served as beverage coordinator for the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Gladhander Auction for 28 years and then continued helping in other roles. His dedication to his church and school earned him the honor of being inducted into the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Hall of Fame. At his award ceremony it was stated that "Jack's word was golden and when he said he would take care of it, he always did." After serving our country in the United States Army, he married our mother Sandy on June 4th, 1960 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hannah, Michigan. Our parents were married for 60 years and never started or ended the day without a kiss and saying I love you. They taught our family the importance of a relationship with God, daily prayer and serving others. They ran a successful business for 45 years out of their home as distributors of the infamous Wolverine Sno-Scoop. They were grateful for all they had and felt blessed to welcome many extra guests into their home especially at the Holiday Dinner table. Our Dad was notorious for making sure we made a ton of extra food so he could take heaping plates to some of his favorite neighbors which brought him great joy. He loved the wildlife in his yard and always made sure they had full bellies. On several occasions squirrels would peer through the glass door letting him know that the food was getting low. When not volunteering at church or school or working in his yard or garden you would find him dancing in the kitchen with our Mom getting ready for the next big polka festival somewhere in Michigan. He LOVED to polka dance! His dedication to God and his church was unparalleled. He was Coordinator of the Eucharistic Ministers for over 35 years. He set up and assisted not only at Sunday Mass but at all the special Masses and Funerals as well. When the Christmas and Easter Masses found the Church over-flowing he was assigned the task of coordinating additional Masses in the School Gymnasium. He was always available to help anywhere he was needed. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years and ran the first Pancake Breakfast fundraiser which was so successful that they continue to this day. He was a founding member of the St Francis Men's Club and they helped raise numerous funds to help offset expenses for the church and school. His dedication spilled over to Munson Hospital where he had an exemplary 44-year career. He was one the areas first X-Ray Technologists and went on to establish and run the Nuclear Medicine Department and the Radiation Safety Board until he retired at the age of 70. He was well respected by both physicians and staff and to this day those of us who work at Munson are told by others what a legend he is in the Munson family and how loved and respected he was. His favorite sport was golf which he shared with his son, son-in-law and both grandsons. He was one of the co-founding members of the Munson Golf League which he participated in until a few short years ago. He is survived by his children, Nan (Jeff) Niewiadomski, Chris Rodes, Joe (Kristin Powers) Rodes and Julie Rodes, his grandchildren Jennifer (Ryan) Davis, Josh (Jenn) Niewiadomski, Erin (Matt) Greco, and Kyle Rodes, his great-grandchildren, Joey & Sawyer Hill and Kateri Davis, his brother-in-law Fran Kolenic and sister-in-law Doris Rodes and many nieces and nephews. His heavenly welcoming committee includes his beloved wife of 60 years Sandy and his best furry friend Missy, his parents Tony and Pauline Rodes, in-laws Bernie and Eva Clare Weber and Lester and Maria Radiske, his brothers Don & Jim Rodes, his sisters Dorothy Cox and twin sister Joan Kolenic, his brothers-in-law Phil Cox and Don Radiske and sister-in-law Marilyn Rodes and many other cherished family and friends. Our Dad was a true leader and we are reminded of a quote by former Notre Dame Football Coach Knute Rockne "Leaders are like eagles....they don't flock. You'll find them one at a time." Visitation will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024 from 4 – 7 pm at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Please join the family at 4 pm to pray the rosary. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 11 am at St Francis Catholic Church with visitation beginning one hour prior. Graveside services will take place at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions in his honor may be directed to St. Francis Catholic Church. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories and condolences with his family.

John "Jack" A. Rodes

December 16, 1934 - November 29, 2024