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Rodney (Rod) James Bolton, age 89 of L’Anse, MI passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at Bayside Village in L’Anse with his loving family at his side.
Rod was born February 23, 1930 in Baraga, MI son of Marion (Lasinski) Bolton. He attended school in L’Anse. Rod married the love of his life, Barbara Johnson, on August 29, 1953 in L’Anse. They shared 66 wonderful years of marriage together.
As a young man Rod was a very good athlete, participating in many sports. In 1949 he scored 5 touchdowns in one game for the L’Anse high school football team.
Rod started his working career in Milwaukee, WI at the Oster Company. In 1957 he and Barb returned to L’Anse and Rod went to work for Celotex. He was employed at Celotex as a mechanic for 36 years, retiring in 1993. After retirement he volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul store in L’Anse. Rod was life long member of Sacred Heart Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus.
He loved hunting, fishing, sports- particularly the Detroit professional teams, and gardening. He also loved to dance and would spend hours on the dance floor with his wife. Rod had a great sense of humor and a good attitude, making light of things even when life was tough. He was a very gentle and caring man. Rod loved life, he loved the great outdoors, was a hard worker and loved his family.
Surviving are his loving wife Barbara of L’Anse; children Rodney Scott (Linda) Bolton of Twin Lake, MI, Shelley Bolton of L’Anse, Todd Bolton of L’Anse; grandchildren Daniel and Jennifer Bolton, Ryan and Lindsay Allman; great grandchildren Lucas and Brody LaValley; and nephew Patrick (Joyce) Fields; brothers-in-law Clark (Pat) Westman and their children and grandchildren and Terry (Bonnie) Westman and their children and grandchildren; sister-in-law Diane (Charlie) Eshbach and their children and grandchildren.
Preceding him in death are his mother Marion and step father Oscar Petterson; brother Gerald Bolton; sister Frances Benninck; and mother-in-law and father-in-law Helvi and Joe Gorinac
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 1st from 11-12 PM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, L’Anse. A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 PM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church with Fr. Corey Litzner officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Burial will be in the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Jacobson Funeral Home.
Friends may sign Rodney’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.
