Rodney Schmidt

Some people come into the world and find the simple pleasures of life the most meaningful. For Rodney Schmidt, life was all about family, and true happiness was in bringing a smile to the faces of those he loved and cared about. In his company, no one was a stranger. A loving and happy man by nature, Rodney had a knack for bringing the best out in people. Whether it was through his joking around ways, or simply the love he so freely gave, his memory will be kept in the hearts of all whose lives he touched.

A time of great hope as well as change, the early 1960s found America with a beloved John F. Kennedy as 35th President of the United States. It was also an age of innocence as families gathered after the evening meal to watch Leave It To Beaver or Gunsmoke. The bee-bop era introduced all time favorite, “The Peppermint Twist”, and crooner Bobby Vinton serenaded young lovers. For George W. and Vera Lee (Rickie) Schmidt, it was a time of blessed beginnings in Indianapolis, Indiana when on April 26, 1962, they welcomed the birth of a healthy son they named Rodney Gene.

Rod enjoyed a typical childhood growing up alongside his seven brothers and three sisters. They were built-in playmates for each other that made for a bustling household, but everyone did their part to pitch in. Rod was always a happy boy, and even at an early age, demonstrated his ability to be quite a jokester. He attended the area schools, often hanging out with friends or taking in the latest episode of the “wild and crazy” show, Saturday Night Live. In 1980, Rod graduated from Mooresville High School.

Through a mutual friend, Rod met a young woman named Becky Johnson who he fell deeply in love with. Becky, or Becka as he lovingly called her, worked at Linder’s Ice Cream Store where in no time, Rod became a regular customer. The two began dating, and along with his daughter Leslie, were joined as one when on July 27, 1985, Rod and Becky became husband and wife. Throughout the years, Rod worked for various companies, but for the last nine years, he found contentment working as a shipping specialist for Ceva Logistics, serving Allison Transmission.

In his spare time, Rod enjoyed model car making. He was a proud member of the Mooresville Masonic Lodge #78 and the Order of the Eastern Star, of which he was a past patron. Spending time at the lodge and the many things they were involved in throughout the community was very important to him. As a family, they enjoyed traveling to the mountains of Tennessee where memorable times were spent, and attended Centennial Christian Church where Rod grew in his faith. Besides ice cream, Rod was a meat and potatoes kind of guy, and loved mashed potatoes and gravy, as long as they weren’t instant. He also was fond of a good beef and noodle dinner too.

For Rod, the most important part of life was being with family. Rod was naturally a loving and giving person, and through that love, he shared a special bond with each of his family members. His greatest joy was time spent in their company. It was important to Rod for everyone to be together, and he especially loved Thanksgiving and Christmas when everyone would make it a point. Always the teaser and jokester, Rod could bring a welcome smile to friends and family alike, particularly his nieces and nephews, and children as well.

One the greatest days of Rod’s life was when he became a grandfather. He loved his grandson Zachary from the get-go, and the two became the best of buddies. He and Zachary really took to eating ice cream together, and Rod cherished the times Zachary took him on pretend four-wheeler rides. He was truly Rod’s pride and joy.

As long as the love of family was by his side, Rod was content. Even throughout his illness, he fought a hard and brave battle. Sadly, on April 6, 2009, just short of his 47th birthday, Rodney Gene Schmidt died at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Although he lived a rather short life compared to many, Rod’s life was enriched and blessed by those he called family, and to whom no one was a stranger. He will be fondly remembered by all.

Rod was preceded in death by his father, George William Schmidt, son, Corey Daniel Schmidt, and a brother, Steven L. Schmidt. Survivors include his wife, Rebecca (Johnson) Schmidt; daughters, Leslie Rose Schmidt of Indianapolis and Elizabeth Ann Schmidt, of Gosport; his mother, Vera Lee Rickie Schmidt of Martinsville; brothers, George R. Schmidt of Indianapolis, Richard E. Schmidt of Mooresville, Glenn W. Schmidt of Beech Grove, Donald A. Schmidt of Taswell, Bryan J. Schmidt and Robert L. Schmidt, both of Avon; sisters, Connie A. Lafary of Martinsville, Paula A. Basey of Honor, Michigan, and Shirley M. Moffitt of Indianapolis; beloved grandson, Zachary Glenn Schmidt of Indianapolis.

Friends and family will gather on Thursday, April 9, 2009, 3-8 PM in the Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel, Mooresville. Masonic Memorial and Eastern Star Services will be held at 7 PM Thursday at the funeral chapel. The funeral service will be held on Friday, April 10, 2009, 11 AM in the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Indiana. Please visit carlilsleandson.com to share a favorite memory or photo of Rod, or sign his online guest registry.