Michael J. Rod, 62, Lafayette, Louisiana and formerly of Mendota, was called home to be with the Lord on May 3, 2022.

Funeral services will be held Monday May 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Brian Kelly officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota with military honors by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of services.

Michael was born December 30, 1959 in Ottawa, Illinois, the son of the late James Ross Rod and the late Patricia (Whitmore) Rod. He was married to Joan Crowley Rod on January 15, 1985 at Holy Cross Catholic Church. He had three children, Elizabeth, James and Timothy Rod.

Michael started out as a police officer in Mendota. He had a passion for helicopters and went to school for aviation. Michael enlisted in United States Army as a helicopter pilot. In 1989, the family relocated to Clarksville, Tennessee. In 1990, he served a tour in the Gulf War. He served in the military until 1995. He relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana pursuing his passion for helicopter aviation and flew helicopters for oil and gas industry until his retirement in 2020.

Michael was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He took pride in being a United States Veteran.

Survivors include his three children, Elizabeth Rod of Dallas, TX, James Rod of Lafayette, LA and Timothy (Claudia) Rod of Springfield, Oregon and his sister Deb (Michael) Koscielny of Cary, Il.

Michael was a Veteran and would like memorials to be directed to Disabled Veterans (donate.dav.org/donate) or Mendota VFW Post 4079. Flowers can be sent to Merritt's Funeral Home in Mendota.