Rodney J. Root

Died Wednesday afternoon, September 7, 2005. Rodney was born March 8, 1946 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a son of Frederick and Edith (Arentz) Root Sr. During the Vietnam War he served with the U.S. Army. He had been a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident, and was employed with General Motors for 30 years, retiring in 1998. He also owned the Root Spring Scraper Company with his two brothers, and served on the Board of Directors. He was a member of the Kalamazoo V.F.W. He was preceded in death by his parents. On September 6, 1966, he was united in marriage to Janet L. (Sampley) Root, who survives. Also surviving are 3 children, James Root, Christy (Domingo) Gomez, and Michelle (Joseph) Starbuck, all of Kalamazoo; 2 brothers, Frederick (Mary Ann) Root of Augusta, and William R. (Laurie) Root of Otsego; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A celebration of Rodney's life will take place at his home Sunday, September 18 from 2-6 p.m. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Private inurnment of cremains will take place at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the Kairos Dwelling. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St.