Daniel J. ‘Spider’ Rode

Daniel J. “Spider” Rode, 65, passed away suddenly on Friday, September 25, 2015, while vacationing in Hocking Hills.

He was born July 15, 1950, in Lima, to James F. and Helen M. (Schneider) Rode, who both preceded him in death. Dan was united in marriage to Janet German on April 7, 1984, and she survives in Delphos.

He is also survived by two daughters, Traci (Andrew) Salinas of Delaware (Ohio) and Julie (Robby Caldwell) Rode of Columbus; two sisters, Chris (Bill) Hartsock of Van Wert and Kathy Young of Delphos; six brothers, Mike (Deb) Rode, Tony Rode, Dennis (Rhian) Rode, Jim (Mary) Rode, Joe (June) Rode and John (Bonnie) Rode, all of Delphos; his father-in-law, Al German of Delphos; a sister-in-law, JoAnn (Bob) Cramer of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; three brothers-in-law, Dan (Marcia) German and Mike (Carol) German, both of Delphos, and Jeff (Tina) German of Warsaw, Indiana; two special aunts, Millie Metzger and Joey Rosendale; 28 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews. Dan was very excited and anticipating the upcoming birth of his first grandchild.

His mother-in-law, Mary Ann German; a brother-in-law, Dean Young; and one sister-in-law, Pam Rode, also preceded him in death.

Dan graduated from Delphos St. John’s in 1968. He attended Xavier University for two years and retired from Eaton Corporation after 12 years of service. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Eagles Aerie 471, and the Knights of Columbus, all in Delphos. For 18 years, he coached girls’ basketball in grades 5-8 and also coached his girls’ soccer and softball teams. He enjoyed golfing and fishing, especially with family. He always looked forward to the German family fishing trip to Canada. HE was a math tutor for more than 30 years and was always involved in a construction project for family and friends. One of the many things Spider will be remembered most for is his “Dad” jokes that not everyone “got”. He loved to make people laugh, especially his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 1, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, with Father George Mahas officiating. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in Delphos.

Calling hours are from 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, and 1-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, at Harter and Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, where a K of C Rosary service will be held at 6:45 and a parish wake service at 7 Wednesday evening.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.harterandschier.com.