Roderick W. Lilley

Roderick W. “Rod” Lilley, 69, residing at 14730 Candie Lane, Plymouth, Ind. for the past 13 years, coming from Vermont in 1974, died at 10 a.m., following an illness, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, in St. Joseph Medical Center, South Bend, Ind. Rod was born the son of Roy G. and Marion M. Martin Lilley on Feb. 27, 1932, in Barre, Vermont. He graduated from Vermont’s Plainfield High School in 1950 and then from Vermont Technical College in 1951. For two years during the Korean War, from 1953-1955, he served in the United States Army. On Aug. 12, 1956, in Riverton, Vermont, Rod and Beverly J. Kenerson were married. Raised on a farm, Rod remained involved in dairy farming. From 1967 to 1994, he worked for Ralston Purina in district sales, after moving to Indiana, he represented Ralston Purina in the Swine Division. He was always proud of his association with Purina and after his retirement in 1994, he continued to work as a consultant for three years. Rod had a passion for golf and played almost daily. He was a member at Swan Lake Golf Course and played many courses in Florida. As a young man, he loved hunting and fishing. He coached Little League for many years and was a part of the group that founded the East Calais Recreation Assoc. and physically help build the ball fields they have today. He followed collegiate sports, especially Notre Dame and Purdue. His neighbors appreciated his “neighborliness,” and his ability to always get the job done. He was a devoted family man and the involvement with his grandchildren’s activities was a priority in his life. A member of Plymouth’s First Presbyterian Church, Rod was active in church activities. He was also a member of the Plymouth Elks Lodge and a V.F. W. member in Vermont. Rod is survived by his wife, Beverly, and by their two sons and their families. They are: Dr. Jay S. and Nan Lilley, Huntsville, Ala., and their children, Sara and Travis; and Todd M. and Tina Lilley, LaPorte, Ind., and their children, Nathan and Tyler. A brother, Douglas Lilley, of East Calais, Vermont and two sisters, Judith and Chester Cookson, Plainfield, Vermont, and Marcia St. Cyr, Barre, Vermont, also survive. In addition, Robert Thomas, a brother-in-law and Joan Maurais a sister-in-law survive with several nephews and nieces. Rod was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marilla Thomas, and a brother-in-law, Ervin St. Cyr. Visitation with Rod’s family will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, in the Johnson-Danielson funeral home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Funeral services, officiated by the Reverends Steve Mullin, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Plymouth, and former pastor, Lester Johnson, will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 23, 2002. Interment will be at a later date in East Hill Cemetery, East Calais, Vermont. Memorial gifts in Rod’s memory may be made to the Marshall County Cancer Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice.