John R. Roden, age 83, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2012
at Agrace HospiceCare, Inc.in Fitchburg. He was born on January 29, 1929
in Chicago, the son of Harry and Cecelia (West) Roden. John was a son of
a tailor and enjoyed 15 years of a drag racing career with his family. He
was united in marriage to Helen Nikischer on September 10, 1950 in
Chicago. John was a veteran of the United States Army having served in
the Korean Conflict in the Signal Corps Communication Division in Tokyo,
Japan. He was employed as a installation technician with Custom Design
Bathrooms and a member of the plumberâ??s and glaiserâ??s unions having worked
with such notables as Muhammad Ali and Paul Harvey. John totally enjoyed
fishing and being on the lake front enjoying a cigar. He is survived by
his wife, Helen, a son, Gary (Beth), two grandsons, Greg and Geoff; a
sister-in-law, Joan Roden and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand
nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Harry in
2011. John lived life to its fullest and enjoyed his time spent on Lake
Wisconsin near Lodi since 1955.

Visitation Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. with a Service of Remembrance at 8 p.m. Military Honors will be presented by the U.S. Army Honor Guard.