Rodney "Rod" L. Holland

Rodney “Rod” Lee Holland, longtime resident of Kewanee, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on July 5, 2025 at the age of 89.

Rod was born on August 11, 1935, in Portland Township, Whiteside County, Illinois. He was the third of four children born to Chester and Mildred (Dorathy) Holland. He grew up in Erie and graduated from Erie High School in 1953, where he was active in school life and lettered in basketball.

In October 1954, Rod was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served for two years as a clerk with the 36th Machine Records Unit (MRU), 7th U.S. Army of Occupation in Stuttgart, Germany. During his service, he qualified as a marksman and received the Good Conduct Medal. In 1956, he was honorably transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves.

Following his return home, Rod began a professional career in data management, holding positions at the Rock Island Arsenal and the Chromalloy Farm Equipment Division (formerly Kewanee Machinery & Conveyor Co.) in the IBM department. Known for his strong sense of style and eye for detail, Rod enjoyed helping others, offering thoughtful guidance and encouragement to customers during his time at Kirley & Sons apparel and Goods Furniture in Kewanee. In the summer of 1959 Rod married Kay Waldorf. They later divorced.

Rod was a longtime and devoted member of St. Peter’s Evangelical United Church of Christ in Kewanee. He was also a proud 62-year member of the Kewanee Elks, a Free Mason since 1959 and current member of Kewanee Lodge No. 159, and a 50-year member of the Moline Chapter No. 258, Order of the Eastern Star, Geneseo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Mildred; his brothers, Neil and sister-in-law Barb (Manning) and Dale; and his sister, Joan and brother-in-law Lyle Hawk. He is succeeded by his sister-in-law Darlene Holland, seven nieces and nephews and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by services at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11 at St. Peter’s Evangelical UCC in Kewanee with Pastor Michael Cassady officiating. Following the services at the church military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. The burial will follow at Erie Cemetery in Erie, Illinois. Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kewanee Food Pantry, 924 Rose St., Kewanee, IL 61443, (309) 852-3577 or to St. Peter’s Church.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7

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