Loren E. "Gene" Rody
93, Brownsburg, died peacefully November 4. A native son of Greentown, IN, Gene was born October 4, 1924 to Leores and Ida Rody, the oldest of three. He spent his early years in Howard County working on his parents' farm with siblings Dale and Bonnie. In 1944, he enlisted in the Army and served his country during WWII as a member of the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium. Returning home, he graduated from Indiana University in 1951 with a business degree. He found employment as a purchasing agent at Detroit Diesel Allison, where he remained until his retirement in 1986. Gene resided most of his life in Brownsburg, appreciating the Hoosier town and its simple pleasures. He enjoyed traveling, reading, cheering his Indiana teams, and playing cards with fellow veterans at American Legion Post #331. But, his greatest joy was family, and Gene delighted in marking life's special moments with them. Remembering lean childhood years, Gene lived by a creed of generosity throughout his life. He gave unexpectedly and generously to those he loved most. He is preceded in death by wife Anita and brother Dale. Gene is survived by his children: Mark (Bonnie) Rody of Nineveh; Karen (Paul) Patterson of Columbus, OH; Martin (Heather) Rody of Brownsburg; and sister Bonnie (Don) Croddy of Kokomo. He also is survived by grandchildren whom he loved greatly, and would smile broadly at the mention of their names: Amy, Mark, Leah, Emma, Grace, Matt, and Megan, Libby and Abbe; and great-grandson Joshua. He is also survived by step daughters Lisa Nordi and Beth Allen. Visitation will be from 11am to 1pm Thurs. Nov. 9 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg, with the funeral immediately following at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Honor Flight: www.honorflight.org