Rodwell Paul Reed

Rodwell Paul Reed, affectionally known as Rody passed away on June 28, 2024, after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was a few days short of his 80th birthday.

He was born July 1, 1944, to Rodwell and Edith (Schmidt) Reed in Hancock, MI. Rody was very proud of his Michigan roots and visited the Upper Peninsula on many occasions. He was an avid Michigan sports fan. And later in life he added golf to his sports interests.

He is survived by his wife, Essie Poulakos Pederson and his children: Kathy Durbin (Patrick) Henry, IL, Scott Levine, Tuscan, AZ, Dawn Hamblett (Adam), Sterling, VA., Shawn P. Reed (Shawn A.) Cincinnati, OH, Michael Reed, Covington LA. He was the grandfather of 8: Adrianna (Levine); Abigail, Alison and Isabella (M. Reed), Alaina and Anna (S. Reed), Amelia and Ian (Hamblett). Rody also leaves behind many cousins that he reconnected with in the past several years. Rody cherished his family above all and his family was his most important treasure.

Having been raised near Lake Superior, as a child Rody enjoyed watching the Coast Guard patrol the lake. This interest prompted him to join the United States Coast Guard in 1962. He traveled around the world on an Ice Cutter seeing the Antarctic and Artic Circles as well as Greenland and Iceland. His first duty station was on the Ohio River near Cincinnati. Upon retiring from the Coast Guard in 1982 he worked as a realtor in Michigan and Louisiana for 20 years. Around 2007 he moved to Northern Kentucky to be near his son Shawn and his family where he worked for Home Depot for several years.

He was a longtime member of the Alfred Erickson American Legion Post 186 of Hancock and was the post commander from 2003-2005. Rody was well respected as the commander and as a legion member. 

Private memorial services will be held later at the convivence of the family. Arrangements have been made through Hodapp Funeral Home, Liberty Township. Rody will be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in memory of Rodwell P. Reed to Queen City Hospice, Mason Ohio.

The family would like to extend a sincere heartfelt thank you to Queen City Hospice and Deacon Mike Hinger of St. Maximillion for their kind, caring, comfort and support during a most difficult time.