C. Rodney Worden

C. Rodney Worden, 84, of rural Bucyrus died Friday, October 14, 2011 at the Cleveland Clinic after several weeks of illness.

He was born August 2, 1927 in rural Crestline to the late Ralph and Cleo (Sherer) Worden. Rodney graduated from North Robinson High School in 1945 before joining the U.S. Navy where he served aboard ships patrolling the eastern seaboard at the conclusion of WWII. He returned to Crawford County and began dating Mary Wilcox. They were married July 31, 1949. Mary survives him after sharing 62 years of partnership.

Rodney is also survived by three sons, David (Cathy) Worden, Don (Rhonda) Worden, both of Bucyrus and Jim (Sandy) Worden of Galion; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren with one to come soon; sisters, Margery Gledhill, Joan (Jim) Stemen and Judy (Sam) Eichhorn; brother, James (Bonnie) Worden and sister-in-law, Pearl Graf.

In addition to his parents, Rodney was preceded in death by his brother, Glen Worden and foster brother, Kenneth Graf.

Rodney was a steadfast, hardworking farmer with a mind of his own. When he set out to do something, he did it and did it right. He loved farming and he loved his family, especially when they got together for meals, always looking forward to dessert and elderberry pie in particular. He enjoyed following the OSU Buckeyes as well as casino trips to Las Vegas and traveling all over the U.S. for vacation and to attend over 20 Commodity Classics where he learned about the latest innovations in farming. He had a prized collection of farm toys and hats and enjoyed restoring the Farmall tractor that had belonged to his father-in-law.

While farming his entire life, Rodney also retired from The Timken Co. after 38 years of service. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bucyrus, American Soybean Assoc., National Corn and Wheat Growers Assoc., Col. Crawford Athletic Boosters, Lutheran Brotherhood, Honorary Member of Col. Crawford FFA in 1996, former secretary of the North Robinson Equity, Moose Lodge #669, AMVETS Post 27 and 60-year member of Col. Crawford Post 181 of the American Legion.

The Worden family will receive friends Tuesday, October 18 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. The graveside funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Whetstone Cemetery on Poe Road with Pastor Don L. Neumann officiating. The U.S. Navy will observe military rites at the graveside.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Honor Flight Network, American Cancer Society or St. Paul's Lutheran Church through the funeral home.



Visitation:

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Service:

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 11 a.m.

Whetstone Cemetery, 1100 Poe Road, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Cemetery:

Whetstone Cemetery, 1100 Poe Road, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820