Wilbur L. "Rody" Rodenberg

RICHMOND, Ind. - Wilbur L. 'Rody' Rodenberg, age 87, of Richmond, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at Reid Hospital. He was born December 19, 1922, in Milton to Jesse Grover and Flora Alice Burch Rodenberg and lived in Richmond most of his life. Rody was a 1940 graduate of Milton High School, attended Purdue University and graduated from Earlham College in 1945. He taught school and coached at Milton High School for two years and worked in management at Montgomery Ward for 22 years. He was the first CEO/Executive Director of Green Acres, now Achieva, for 20 years, retiring in 1988. He was a board member of Achieva for many years and was board president for seven years. Rody served on the Sessions Board of Directors for First Presbyterian Church for six years. Rody was a member of the Richmond Noon Kiwanis Club, the Elks, First Presbyterian Church and the John Purdue Club for more than 30 years. Survivors include Betty Groeber; his daughter, Diane Behrle of Carmel, Ind.; grandchildren, Ryan Behrle and wife Laura of Carmel, Kevin Behrle and wife Kate of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lauren Behrle of Carmel; great-granddaughter, Lillian Behrle and another great-grandchild on the way; brother-in law, Charles Koger and wife Eva of Arkansas; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Rodenberg of Cambridge City. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace L. Koger Rodenberg, to whom he was married in 1946 and died in 1995; his parents; and brothers, Melvin and Harold Rodenberg. May his zeal for life and his endless positive outlook inspire us all. His family would like to express their gratitude to all the friends, family, and colleagues who helped make his life such a rich and fulfilling journey. Visitation for Wilbur L. 'Rody' Rodenberg will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2010, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 23 at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor David Layman officiating. Entombment will be in Earlham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Achieva Resources, P.O. Box 1252, Richmond, IN 47375 or First Presbyterian Church, 100 North 10th St., Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Wilbur L. "Rody" Rodenberg

December 19, 1922 - March 19, 2010