Bobbie L. Rod, 75, of Mendota passed away in Swedish American Hospital in Rockford Sunday morning , April 11, 2010. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Restland Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation is 5-8 p.m. Wednesday and 10-11 a.m. Thursday at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. She was born Jan. 30, 1935, in Plant City, Fla., to Robert and Gladys (Cowden) Cook. She moved to Illinois and was united in marriage to Alfred Wendel Rod on June 6, 1954. Bobbie and Alfred then settled on a farm outside of Sublette and raised four children. Bobbie later took a position at Hart Carter Co. in Mendota, where she worked for 36 years and was the local UAW president. Bobbie enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and will be missed greatly. In recent years Bobbie bravely fought and survived cancer several times and wasn't afraid of her own mortality. She died without fear knowing that her Redeemer lives and that she would be joining him in heaven. Bobbie leaves four children, Nigal (David) Oleson of Genoa, Robin (Greg Cason) Roux of Dixon, Rodney (Cynthia) Rod of Arlington and Ross (Carmen) Rod of Marseilles; 12 grandchildren, Amber Oleson, Garrett Oleson, Grant Oleson, Jayna (Rene) Valdez and her children, Presley and Oliviah; Aaron Roux, Rodney Rod II, Brody Rod, Jolett Rod; Lance (Shanna) Rod and his child, Chase A. Rod; Whitney Rod and Courtney Rod; one brother, Richard Cook and sisterin- law Mary Cook of Florida; close friends Richard Deming, Betty Shaw, Mary Roberts, Darlene Hageman, and many other friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Harvey Cook; one sister, Catherine Knowles; and one grandson, Chase-Allen Rod. A memorial has been established in Bobbie's name to benefit Mendota Lutheran Home. Donations may be directed to Bobbie Rod Memorial and sent to the funeral home.