R

oger “Rod” Gorham, 79, of Cassopolis, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2010, at 5:45 p.m. at Silverbrook Manor, Niles, after an extended illness.

He was born at the family’s original home in Cassopolis on April 24, 1931, to Mark and Eileen (Halladay) Gorham.

He lived his entire life in Cassopolis.

Rod was a former maintenance worker at Bendix Corp., South Bend, having served for 30 years.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of Korea and a member of Decatur VFW Post 6248.

Rod graduated from Cassopolis High School in 1950. He was also a huge University of Michigan fan; rooted for the Detroit Tigers; loved mushroom hunting, fishing, playing euchre and was entirely devoted to his dog, Bingo.

Rod loved traveling, having visited most of the 50 states.

Rod married Joanne Ruth Davis on May 10, 1958, in Berrien Springs. She survives, along with three children, Jill Ann (Brian) Penning, Karen Joy (Dan) Smith, both of Decatur, and Robert Lee Gorham, of Cassopolis; six grandchildren; a future great-grandchild; two brothers, Richard (Carolyn) Gorham and Larry (Donna) Gorham; sister, Marcelene Gorham, all of Cassopolis; a brother, Donald Gorham;  and sister, Ann Sattelmaier.

His parents preceded him in death.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis. Officiating will be the Rev. Larry Settle, former pastor of Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis.

Private interment services will be at a later date.

Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m.
Memorial donations in Rod’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society.