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Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory - Greenfield

1484 W. US Hwy. 40

Greenfield, Indiana

Donald Rodenbeck Obituary

Donald "Chris" Rodenbeck

Age 79, of Plainfield, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2013. He was born September 26, 1933 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Christian and LaVonne (Virt) Rodenbeck.

Chris was a veteran of the United States Army Air Force. He also served in the Indiana Army National Guard and was a member of the Indiana National Guard Band. Chris has been a professional trombonist musician since the age of 21 and has played all over the country. He retired from Eli Lily as a chemistry microbiologist and had earned his Bachelor's degree from Indiana Central University. Chris had also been a member of the Masonic Lodge/Shriners and was a licensed pilot.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Patricia (Knight) Rodenbeck; sons, Donald C. (Shanease) Rodenbeck, John (Beth) Rodenbeck and Scott (Beth) Rodenbeck; daughter, Melanie (Dave) Dishman; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sister, Julia (Stan) Semokaitis.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Burial will follow in St. Johns Cemetery in Cumberland. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 5, 2013 at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service. You may express condolences or share a memory of Chris at http://www.hinsey-brown.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Indianapolis Star on Sep. 4, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Rodenbeck

9 Entries

Joanne Novak

September 20, 2013

Patty, I was working on the genealogy and came across Chris's obituary. What a shock...I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be a great comfort for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

September 8, 2013

My dear Pat, I'm sorry to learn of Don's passing. I would have paid my respects personally, except for outside circumstances. don and I were fellow trombone players and friends from high school days. In the course of time, we played in many of the same groups. I had an opportunity to learn that Don was an exceptional musician and friend. I know that he will be deeply missed. Thoughts and prayers for your family. Ed Cox

Diane and Larry Leeds

September 4, 2013

So sorry to lose a cousin to my mother, Clara Brinkman Stickle. Donald, you will be remembered by so many people for your contribution to the music world playing in the big bands, for your military service, talents unlimited with being a pilot and working as a microbiologist for Lilly. What a life of accomplishment and a long marriage with a lovely family! Blessings to Pat & your children and grandchildren - you will always be missed. Diane and Larry Leeds, Clara's eldest daughter.

Dean & Debbie Schweigel

September 4, 2013

Our deepest sympathy for the Rodenbeck family.

June Edison

September 4, 2013

Dear Pat and Family,
I am sorry for your loss. I am sure that Don was welcomed into Heaven by many musicians who have gone before. I hope that Jim was there to greet his old friend.
Love, June Edison

September 4, 2013

Pat and Family,
Chris meant a great deal to me as a friend and playing buddy. We studied improv. jazz together, we played in the Shrine band and other groups together, and at all of those occasions we talked and talked. From these discussions, I learned who he was and what he believed. He was a complex person who deeply loved his country, his wife and family, and his music. I was very fortunate in knowing Chris and feel a deep sense of loss today.

Cindy Hogwood

September 4, 2013

Pat and family,
I have such great memories of Don (Chris) during his many years with the 38th Infantry Division Band. He was a mentor and a friend. What a fantastic person and musician....he will be missed greatly.

Joni Curtis Town of Cumberland Historian

September 4, 2013

The Rodenbeck family has deep roots in Cumberland and were part of the original families who made Cumberland what it is today. I am sorry for your loss.

Rebecca Scales

September 4, 2013

My sympathy to the entire Rodenbeck family.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results

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1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140

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