Archdiocesan Priest, Jeremiah J. Rodell, Dies

The Rev. Jeremiah Joseph Rodell, a retired archdiocesan priest and a former brigadier general in the United States Air Force, died April 17, 2015.

Rodell was a resident of the Brookdale Plaza in Lisle. He was 93 years old.

Rodell was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Sept. 28, 1921. He grew up in Chicago, attending St. Mary of the Lake School and Quigley Preparatory Seminary. Rodell attended the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary, graduating with his Master of Arts Degree.

He was ordained into the priesthood on June 5, 1947, by the Most Rev. William D. O’Brien, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest.

Rodell’s first assignment was at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish on Leclaire Avenue in Chicago (closed in 2005), serving as the associate pastor for eight years until 1955. That same year, he entered into active military service as a United States Air Force chaplain, serving in that capacity until 1981.

He served in various stateside bases, including Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; March Air Force Base, California; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He served overseas at the Naha Air Base, Okinawa; Ankara, Turkey; Clark Air Base, Philippines; Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand; and Wiesbaden Air Base, Germany.

His military decorations and awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1978.

Rodell returned to the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1981 and served as associate pastor of St. Emeric Parish in Country Club Hills, Illinois. During his time at the parish, he was named dean of deanery 12 in Vicariate IV and archdiocesan director of Ethnic Ministries. Rodell served at St. Emeric Parish until his retirement.

The Rev. Paul Seaman, pastor of St. Pascal Parish, first met Rodell when he became pastor of St. Emeric Parish.

“Fr. Jerry Rodell was a priest’s priest,” Seaman said. “He served his country as an Air Force Chaplain, which is an outstanding achievement in and of itself. He was a military man, but he was not militaristic; he was one of the most peaceful-minded men I had ever met.”

Seaman went on to say, “The most obvious and compelling aspect of his life is that he lived a joyful faith. He had a faith that always had a little bit of laughter behind it.”

Visitation for Rodell will begin April 24, from 3 to 8 p.m., at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 South Mill St. in Naperville.

The following day, April 25, visitation at St. Emeric Parish, 4330 180th St. in Country Club Hills, will be held from 9 to 10 a.m.

The Funeral Mass for Rodell will begin at 10 a.m. Seaman will be the main celebrant and homilist. Interment will take place at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Naperville.

Rodell is survived by his nieces and nephews.

Source: the Archdiocese of Chicago.