Mr. Ephraim “Rudy” Rodriguez, age 78 of Newaygo,  died Sunday, June 7, 2009at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids.   He was born Ephraim Banda Rodriguez in Crystal City, Texas the son of Maria Refugia (Banda) and Luis Rodriguez on December 5, 1930. He married Frances Ortiz on May 29, 1954 in Eagle Pass, Texas. He was a Laborer for Sparta Piston Ring until retiring after 10 years in 1976 for medical reasons .   He was a member of Newaygo VFW Post #4249 and was a veteran having served in the Army during the Korean War from February 12, 1951 to February 2, 1953 when he was discharged as a PFC.

 

He is survived by his wife Frances Rodriguez, his children Berkeley & Edward Oberheu‑Pycz of Rock Hills, SC, Luis Rodriguez of Ravenna, Mary & Ron Tubbs of Greenville, Rachel & Jeffrey Jones of Phoenix, AZ, Sarah Rodriguez of Newaygo, 11 grandchildren,  6 great‑grandchildren, his brothers Daniel Rodriguez of Oregon,  Abraham Rodriguez of White Cloud.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM from the McKinley Grant Chapel, on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 with Pastor Dennis Boonstra officiating. Interment will be in the Parkview Cemetery in Grant.   Visitation will be held 6‑8 PM Tuesday. For Memorials please consider the Lymphoma Association and/or West Michigan Heart. Military honors are under the auspices of the Newaygo VFW Post #4249 and the National Guard Honors Unit from Grand Rapids. Please sign the on line guest book at www.mckinleyfuneral.com