Willie Rodenberry

Willie E. Rodenberry, 98, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born Aug. 2, 1921, in St. Louis to Ernest and Mary Fornkohl Rodenberry. Willie and Vernell Graden were married May 8, 1946. She preceded him in death May 15, 2014.

Willie was a lifetime farmer. He held many offices in the Farm Service Agency, was member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills and was Sunday school superintendent for 29 years. He was an avid four-wheeler rider, enjoyed checking on his cattle and picked up thousands of rocks out of his fields. Rock picking was a hobby that began as a small child as he was watching cattle. It was something he always did, and he had many high mounds of rocks down by the creek bed.

He loved his children. From the first to the last, he loved them all the same.

He is survived by a special nephew and farming partner, Daniel Hahn of Cape Girardeau; seven daughters, Jean (the late Harold) Pruitt of Cape Girardeau, Mary (David) Dunlap of Cape Girardeau, Brenda (Cal) Sherman of Jackson, Joyce (Wendell) Miller of Cape Girardeau, Linda (the late Lonnie) Chapman of Grassy, Missouri, Patsy (Charlie) Goodpasture of Jackson and Angela Hency of Jackson; son, Darrell (Cheryl) Rodenberry of Jackson; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; sister, Anna Whitley of Cape Girardeau; and many stepgrandchildren and great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vernell Rodenberry; one brother, John Rodenberry; and daughter, Phyllis Rodenberry.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills.

Funeral service will be at noon Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Barry Pfanstiel officiating. Burial will follow at Thompson Cemetery in Cape Girardeau County.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church of Egypt Mills.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.