Merle L. Rodkey (1927-2026)

Merle Lindwer Rodkey, 98 of Spruce Creek, Summerfield, FL passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Ted & Doane Brandley Hospice House in Summerfield after a brief illness.

Affectionately known as ‘Lindy’, Merle was born August 25, 1927 in Lewistown, PA to Merle O. & Elizabeth F. Rodkey.

Merle was a 1945 graduate of Lewistown High School, after which he enlisted in the US Navy where he served as a plane captain, achieving the rank of AMM 3/C and received his honorable discharge following the end of WW2 in 1946.

On August 14, 1948, he married his high school sweetheart Marjorie Jean Litz. Together they had three children. Richard, Lynda, and Jeffrey. He had seven grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. They were married 73 years prior to her passing in 2021 and made homes in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida. He is survived by his daughter Lynda Yorks; and son Jeffrey Rodkey from Summerfield; grandsons Michael Bailey of Summerfield and Frank and Casey Rodkey from Ohio; granddaughters Ashley & Ariel Rodkey from Maryland and Kris Hutchinson from Ohio as well as his great and great-great grandchildren. His son Richard; and granddaughter Jessica Rodkey; preceded him in death as well as his brother Herb; and sister Doris Rothrock.

Following the war, Merle kept his interest in aviation and earned both a private and commercial pilots license and flew for many years. It was at this time he started his employment with the FMC corporation. Starting in the railyards to later manage several departments including Industrial Engineering, Materials Management retiring in 1991 after 42 proud years as the Purchasing Manager of their Baltimore plant.

Upon his retirement, Merle and Jean moved to Spruce Creek in 1993. Merle was very active in the community, he was part of the founding of a community bulletin, ‘Hi Neighbor!’, served on the Marion County Citizen Patrol for the neighborhood and taught bible classes at the community center for several years.

Merle was very influential in the Methodist churches of where they resided as a certified lay minister. He served in church leadership, teaching roles and the Methodist Men’s prayer breakfast that he led and attended. He was an avid fan of Penn State athletics and enjoyed playing golf, bocci and horseshoes well into his retirement. Merle and Jean enjoyed travelling with family, cruising and shared fellowship with their many friends in social clubs or gatherings. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held at Community United Methodist Church on College Ave in Fruitland Park, FL on March 25, 2026 @ 11am with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the CUMC Men’s Prayer Breakfast or to The Villages Honor Flight would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.