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VON GRUENIGEN, RODNEY - longtime Martin Marietta scheduler and Clinton resident, died peacefully at 6:35 a.m. on Thursday, January 3, 2012 at Tennova Residential Hospice following an extended illness at the age of eighty-two. Affectionately known as Pudge by family and friends, Rodney was born June 22, 1930 in Corbin, Kentucky, one of six children of the late Karl Henry Von Gruenigen and Ada Gieszl Von Gruenigen. Born and reared in Corbin, Rodney was a graduate of Corbin High School and continued his education at Union College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict. He was a faithful and active member of First Baptist Church of Knoxville where he was a member of the Sanctuary Choir. Rodney retired after thirty-seven years of service at Martin Marietta in Oak Ridge where he was a project scheduler. Rodney enjoyed bird watching, hunting for arrow heads, fishing and hiking. Rodney loved singing and listening to beautiful music. Most of all, he loved people. He was a thoughtful and caring son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He was a kind and faithful friend and touched all those who were fortunate enough to know him. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Marian Von Gruenigen Johnson and Janet Von Gruenigen Johnson. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of fifty-eight years, Phyllis Bolton Von Gruenigen of Clinton; daughters, Allison Von Gruenigen and Leigh Ann Garrett and husband, Matt; grandchildren, Abby Garrett and Lilah Von Gruenigen; brothers, Eldred Von Gruenigen of Corbin, Kentucky and Fred Von Gruenigen of Kettering, Ohio; sister, Carolyn Walker of Asheville, North Carolina; several nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff of Meadowview Assisted Living for giving such loving care to "Mr. Von G". A funeral service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2012 at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel officiated by Dr. William D. Shiell. Special music will be provided by Dr. Wendell Boertje and members of the First Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir. Family and friends will meet at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2012 at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Corbin, Kentucky for an 11:00 a.m. interment service with full military honors presented by the Corbin American Legion Post 88. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday prior to the funeral service at the mortuary. Memorial donations may be made to Ijams Nature Center, Attn: Mary Thom Adams, c/o Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37920 (Please designate in memory of Rodney Von Gruenigen in the notes section of your personal check.) Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com.
Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from January 5 to January 6, 2013
