Rodney James Emmel, 67, of Union City, passed away Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall.
A celebration of Rod’s life will be held Friday, October 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City, with pastors Charles Swarthout and Marty Burdick officiating. The family requests those who attend dress casually for the occasion.
Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 11, 2021 at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 7, 2021, also at Lighthouse in Union City.
Rod was born August 29, 1954 in Battle Creek, Michigan to John and Beverly “Peg” (Little) Emmel. He attended Union City Community Schools, graduating with the Class of 1973. He served in the United States Air Force, from 1974-1975, stationed in Oscoda. Unfortunately, injuries sustained in an automobile accident cut short his service career. Rod went on to attend Kellogg Community College, where he earned two associate degrees, in Auto Technology and Computer Technology.
On April 25, 1981, he married the former Lynda Miller in Union City. She survives. Apart from his time in the Air Force, Rod lived his entire life in Union City.
He was employed at several factory jobs and worked for 10 years at Griswold Machine & Engineering in Union City until his retirement in 2004.
He was a very outgoing person who could talk to anyone. He liked to support his children by attending their activities. Rod loved to travel and especially enjoyed riding in the semi with his son-in-law, Jerry Burrows, Jr. He also enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing, and he totally loved his pugs!
In addition to Lynda, his wife of 40 years, Rod is survived by his children, Rodney J. (Autumn) Emmel, Jr. of Union City, Sava (Jerry, Jr.) Burrows of Union City, LeAnna (Jen) Seadin of Union City and Londa (Randy) Halder of Battle Creek; grandchildren, Makenzi Emmel, Brandon Emmel, Jacob Burrows, Caleb Burrows, Beau Vandenburg, Parker Vandenburg, Arianna Emmel, Cooper Halder and Hunter Emmel; step-grandsons, Brantley Hooks and Cooper Hooks; siblings, Leslie Ann (Tony) Cook of Sherwood and Joan (Dale) Lancaster of Meridian, TX; father-in-law, Gary Miller, of Burlington; and his pugs, Lilly, Maizey-Moo, Puggsley and Puggles.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John “David” Emmel, Jr.; and his mother-in-law, Joyce Miller (July, 2021).
Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38195; or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.
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