Don D. Rood Sr.

Don D Rood, Sr. Don D Rood, Sr., 78, formerly of Carlock, IL and Flint, Michigan passed away on Saturday morning, February 14, 2009, quietly in his sleep, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, at the Apostolic Christian Home in Eureka, IL. Don was born in Flint, Michigan, on April 3, 1930. He was the adopted son of William and Ruth Rood who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose; their daughter Lorraine, Terre Haute, Indiana, her husband Stephen Burris, and sons Joseph and Michael; their son Don D Jr., La Verne, California, his wife Jamie, and son Don D III and daughter Deidra. Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Cheryl Miller of Flint, Michigan, her daughters Debra and Linda, her son Jim, and their families. Don graduated from Kearsley High School in Flint, Michigan in 1948 and then put himself through Central Michigan University, earning a bachelor's degree in Industrial Arts Education. He married the love of his life, Rose Giguere on April 7, 1951, and after a stint in the Army, including a tour of duty to Korea, he returned to Flint and taught elementary school for several years. In 1955 he became a State Farm Insurance agent in Flint and a wonderful career began. Don moved up through the ranks over the next 37 years, moving from Michigan to Pennsylvania then to Bloomington, IL, as Vice President - Agency in 1974. He became Chief Agency Officer in 1980, and Sr. Agency Vice President in 1987, the position from which he retired in 1993. Don served on the board of directors of State Farm Mutual and subsidiaries, and served many organizations throughout the industry. Although he was very busy with a successful career, his focus was always on his family and his community. Helping people in need was second nature and countless lives were touched by Don and Rose throughout their life together. An achievement he was very proud of was the founding of the Timber Pointe Charitable Foundation in 1997 to support Easter Seal's Timber Pointe Outdoor Center at Lake Bloomington. This camp now serves thousands of people with disabilities every year. Don also served on the Board of Trustees for Eureka College, was a member of the Carlock Lions Club, The Optimists Club, and many other local community groups. Don was a devoted family man, loyal and warm hearted friend, terrific story teller, a gentle and caring listener, and a great leader. There is no way to count the number of lives he touched and made better. Funeral service will be 10:00 am on Saturday, February 21st at Eastview Christian Church in Normal, IL with the Rev. Rich Bucher officiating. Burial will follow at Republican White Oak Cemetery in rural Carlock. For directions: www.eastviewchurch.net. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20th at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home at 1115 E. Washington St. in Bloomington, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to: Timber Pointe Charitable Foundation, 20 Timber Pointe Lane, Hudson, IL 61748. Condolence messages can be submitted to www.calvertmemorial.com