Delores E. Rodriguez

KEWANEE – Delores E. Rodriguez, 85, of Kewanee, died at 4:17 p.m., Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

She was born on September 4, 1939 in Peoria, the daughter of Jacob M. and Clara M. (Standaert) Schwarz. She married Gerald W. Rodriguez on February 2, 1956 and he preceded her in death on February 22, 2007. Survivors include her seven sons; Gary (Pamela) Rodriguez of Parker, CO, Eugene Rodrick of Vista, CA, Dr. David (Irene) Rodrick of Costa Rica, Gerard (Darla) Rodriguez of Pheonix, AZ, William Rodriguez and Martin Rodrick, both of Tucson, AZ and Christopher Rodriguez of Kewanee, her two daughters, Nadine (Scott) Logsdon of Kewanee and Denise Felt of Paris, MO, twenty-two grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three sisters.

Delores attended Catholic schools in Peoria and obtained a nursing degree from Black Hawk College East Campus. She was medical records director and a licensed practical nurse at Oakwood Health Care Center in Kewanee. She was a member of Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee where she was active in the music ministry and choir, Altar and Rosary Society, the Catholic Book Club, pastoral care, grief ministry and served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. She would hold May Crowning ceremonies in her backyard honoring the statue of the Blessed Virgin. She was also a member of the Community Choir. While in Colorado she was a member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary and its pro-life movement at local and state levels.

She loved music, especially singing and playing the guitar and enjoyed playing games, particularly cards which she hated losing at. Delores cherished her family and thoroughly enjoyed get-togethers with her children and grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 7 at Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee. Celebrant will be Fr. Chris Haake. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, January 6 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with recitation of the rosary at 6:30 p.m. The burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Saint John Paul II Parish or the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

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