Rod Ryder, 66

Rodney A. Ryder, age 66, of Sturgis, passed away late Friday morning, Nov. 16, 2012, at his home, following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Nov. 4, 1946, in Yale, a son of Harlan and June (Wiegand) Ryder.

Rod resided in Sturgis since 1994. Before moving to Sturgis, he lived in Saline for five years, Caro for 10 years and his early life was lived in Capac, where he was raised on the family farm.

On May 12, 1967, he married Pamela Ciemniak at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Capac.

Rod retired in April 2012 from the Farm Bureau Insurance Company following 38 years of dedicated service. Prior to joining Farm Bureau, he had been involved in several business ventures, including owning and operating two service stations and farming with his father and brothers.

He attended Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis and was a past Grand Knight and 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Caro Chapter. While living in Capac, he served on the Town Council and as a part-time police officer. He was active with the Caro Athletic Boosters and enjoyed playing golf, boating, traveling and going to casinos playing blackjack and poker. Rod had many involvements and interests, but what he truly loved and appreciated was time spent with his family especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 45 years, Pamela; a daughter, Wendy (Daniel) Everett of Orlando, Fla.; a son, RC (Kelly) Ryder of Dansville; four grandchildren: Ellise Everett, Nicholas Ryder, Brendan Ryder and Ethan Ryder; his father, Harlan Ryder of Brown City; a sister, Rhonda (Larry) Haske of Grayling; two brothers, Roger (Joanne) Ryder of Yale and Robin (Sharry) Ryder of Brown City; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Monday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis. A funeral Mass celebrating the life of Rodney A. Ryder will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Father German Perez-Diaz of Holy Angels Catholic Church and the Rev. Canon Meredith Hunt of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Sturgis will officiate.

In accordance with Rod’s wishes, cremation will follow the Mass.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Rod’s memory consider Hospice of Sturgis, P.O. Box 126, Sturgis, MI 49091, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or American Red Cross, P.O. Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340.

His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.