David R. Rood passed away peacefully at his home in Kingston, IL, surrounded by his loving family, on January 17, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born November 28, 1932 at his childhood home in Sheridan, IL to Leonard and Marguerite (Meyer) Rood. He attended small, rural schoolhouses in Sheridan and Hinckley, where he created much mischief, which served as the basis of stories that delighted his young kids and grandchildren. David graduated from Hinckley High School in 1950 and worked on the family farm raising Duroc hogs before joining the Air Force in 1952, where he served at Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, IL, Goose Bay, Labrador, and Little Rock Air Force Base.

He married Barbara Faltz, daughter of Raymond and Angela (Como) Faltz of Somonauk, IL, on June 20, 1953, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Somonauk, IL. After spending the first few years of their married life at Scott Air Force Base, and brief stints at Mascoutah, IL and Jacksonville, AR, the family settled in Genoa, IL, where David spent many years working as an industrial engineer at Leich Electric, National Lock, and Sundstrand. As he enjoyed building things with his hands, David constructed several apartment buildings, which he rented and managed for many years. He passed his passion for carpentry onto his son Bob, who went on to establish Rood Construction. David also enjoyed serving as a civil servant, and he held positions in Genoa as a Republican precinct committeeman, township clerk, alderman, and mayor. David was also an active member of St. Catherine of Genoa Catholic church. He enjoyed boating, fishing, gardening, baking, and traveling, and he and his wife Barbara visited all 50 states, Europe, and took many family cruises. But his highest priority was his family, and he was passionate about supporting his children in their endeavors.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Barbara, daughters Mary Lou Saur (DeKalb), Beth (Bob) Fowler (Kingston), and Becky (Don) Scheuneman (Libertyville), son-in-law Mike Lee, daughter-in-law Ann Rood; grandchildren LynAn Saur, Kyle Lee, Kurt (Lauren) Lee, Andra (Steve) Elk, Ryan (Courtney) Rood, Brad (Alex) Fowler, Brandon Fowler, Brooke Fowler, Ben Fowler, Erin Scheuneman, and Brett Scheuneman; great grandchildren Jonathan Hughes, Gavan Hughes, Brandan Lasiewicki, Tristan Lasiewicki, Weston Lee, Penny Lee, Teagan Elk, Xander Elk, and Tucker Rood; sisters Lorraine Erhart, Loretta Brummel, and Dorothy (Rob) Pulfer; sister-in-law Judy Rood, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his children Gayle Lee, Bob Rood, and Gary Rood, his grandson Sean Saur; brothers William (Emiline) Rood, Kenneth (Mary) Rood, and Dwayne Rood; and brothers-in-law Edward Erhart, and Nick Brummel.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 22nd from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM at the Slater-Butala Funeral Home, 132 W. Main St. in Genoa.   His funeral mass will begin at 1:00 PM at the St. Catherine of Genoa Church, 340 S. Stott St., Genoa, IL.  Burial will be at the St. Catherine Cemetery.   A luncheon will follow at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or Kindred Hospice in care of the Slater-Butala Funeral Home, 132 W. Main, Genoa, IL. 60135.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com