Rodney Lynn Renner, 83, of Quincy, passed away Saturday, June 12, 2021 at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital.
Per Rod’s request he has donated his body to the University of Michigan Anatomical Research facility.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Rod will take at place at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2021 at Lockwood Community Church in Coldwater.
Visitation will be held Sunday, June 20, 2021 from 4:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City. Visitation will also be held just prior to the funeral service, from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at the church Monday, June 21, 2021.
Born to E. Bryce and Ruth Renner in Adrian Twp. Lenawee Co., Michigan and one of twelve children, Rod grew up as the spark plug of the family. While never backing down from a fight, his love was always abundant.
He grew up on the family farm on Springbrook Road and graduated from Hanover Horton High School where he excelled in high school sports. Rod held various jobs in high school while still helping out on the family farm.
After graduation Rod married Mary Beth Colbert. He was the proud father of Jeffery Scott and Martin Craig and spent many years servicing and selling televisions and stereos. He purchased and co-owned Coldwater Recreation bowling lanes. After the death of his wife, he and his boys moved to Morenci, Michigan where he purchased Mor N’ Ci Lanes.
While in Morenci, Rod married Carolyn Sue Gray and raised four more sons; Chris, Jeff, Dan, and Todd. He and Sue operated the bowling alley for over 20 years, retiring in 1999 and moving back to Coldwater.
Not to be one to sit idle, Rod went to work setting up the Meijer store in Coldwater, ran a successful Christmas tree farm, and worked for Heinemann Security.
Rod had several hobbies as there wasn’t much he didn’t do or excel at doing. He hated to lose and was a staunch teaser and heckler. He often said he was put on this earth to do just that. He was an ardent bowler, where he held the distinctive honor of being the oldest male bowler at the age of 76 to roll a 300 game in Coldwater, MI Jan 13, 2015. He was just as involved in golfing, fishing, and hunting. He loved the outdoors, mowing his lawn, growing his garden, old cars, and dining out. He loved people, pink shirts and hugs. Karaoke was a fun hobby he enjoyed.
In 2017 he fell in love and married longtime family friend Marilyn May Weber. He was an awesome man who inherited a loving, gigantic family: Larry, LaDonna, Lynne, Brenda, Susan, David, Tim, Darlene, Marla, and Brian were the children.
Although not in his wildest dream did he think he would be a “Dad/Grandpa” to so many children, he said he never met one of them he didn’t love. He in turn was loved beyond measure and will be missed by all of us who were privileged to be a part of his life no matter how short the time.
He left us with a hole in our hearts we cannot fill.
Rod left to mourn his passing to his wife, Marilyn; his bonus children: Jeff (Theresa) Gray and family, Dan (Dawn) Gray and family, Todd and wife Cathy and daughter-in-law Linda and family; Dr. Larry (Jill) Granger and family, LaDonna (Jack) Smith and family, Susan Rubley and family, Brenda (Bill) Christy and family, Tim Granger, Marla (Russ) Rurka and family, Brian (Sylvia) Weber and family and Heath Foley. There are 35 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and very close friends he considered one of the ‘Group’.
Those waiting to greet Rod on his homecoming are his sons, Jeff and Marty, and Mary Beth (the mother of his sons); his second wife Sue and her son Chris Gray; his bonus daughter Darlene Foley; his parents, E. Bryce and Ruth Renner; and his siblings.
In lieu of flowers the family request remembrances and/or donations be directed to the Lockwood Church Children’s playground project, 202 E. Lockwood Road, Coldwater, MI 49036.
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