Obituary: Naomi (Schafer) Rodenbeck

Naomi Rodenbeck (Sept. 29, 1944-July 13, 2020

Naomi Pearl (nee Schafer) Rodenbeck, 75, of Onsted, passed away July 13, 2020, from complications of a Covid-19 illness in April. She was born on September 29, 1944, in South Bend, Indiana to Ralph and Ethel (Nolen) Schafer. Naomi married the love of her life and childhood sweetheart, Doyle Rodenbeck, on December 23, 1967, in Lakeville, Indiana.

She will be remembered for her phenomenal baking and cooking; her cookies won 1st place at the county and state fairs in 4-H. She graduated from Lakeville High School, then attended Huntington College, Indiana
University South Bend, and Siena Heights College. Naomi was a member of the Heart-o’-the-Lakes Church of the United Brethren in Christ. She was employed as an Assistant Manager at Comerica Bank in Brooklyn. She also worked at the Manchester, Napoleon, and Bridgewater branches, retiring in 2009 after 31 years of service. Her family was her pride and joy, especially her children and grandchildren. Naomi will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Naomi is survived by her husband of 52 years, Doyle; her children, Jamisen (Mitchell) Spring of White Lake, Michigan; Johanna (James) Wisniewski of Ledyard, Connecticut; and Juliann (Bryan) Sleek of New Hudson, Michigan; her brother Duane (Elaine) Schafer; sister-in-law Darlene (Lee) Laster; grandchildren Katelyn, Austin, Carter, Brynn, Cayden and Porter; several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; mother and father-in-law Evelyne and Lorence Rodenbeck; brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Teddy Schafer; brother Darrell Dean Schafer; and brother-in-law Donald Rodenbeck.

A private family service will be held at Heart-o’-the-Lakes Church to celebrate Naomi’s life. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to nonprofit architectural mission, 100 Fold Studio, 100foldstudio.org. Please join us for a live stream of her service beginning at 2:00 pm on July 21, 2020. Leave a message of comfort for Naomi’s family or sign her guestbook at www.einederfuneralhomes.com.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.