Rodney L. Rishel, of Delphi, passed away at his residence on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 10:33 a.m.

Rodney was born on April 18, 1922 in Medaryville to the late Leslie Levi and Ruth Anna (Phillips) Rishel. He attended the Delphi Community Schools.

He served in the Army in the Artillery division in WWII, serving on the front lines for over 18 months in Italy. He was awarded 3 bronze stars.

He married Mary Heathcote on Dec. 22, 1939 in Delphi and she survives.

He was owner and operator of Rishel Trucking for over 15 years. He worked as a TV and computer repairmen for the Carroll County Courthouse.

He served as a weather spotter and CB and ham radio operator for the Carroll County Emergency Management Team. He taught classes on spotting tornadoes, the difference in the types of clouds and determining rotation and direction.

He was one of the most conservative democrats in Carroll County.

He enjoyed driving stock cars in the cyclone division on area race tracks from the late 40's to the 60's. He drag raced from the 1960's to the 1970's at Bunker Hill Raceway and loved teaching young kids how to drive race cars. He was an avid NASCAR & N.H.R.A. fan. He also loved camping and fishing.

Along with his wife, Mary, he is survived by 2 daughters: Judith A. Rishel of Lafayette and Marlene Joseph of Delphi; 2 sons: Rodney "Gene" Rishel of Delphi and David Rishel of Michigan; 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded by a brother, Clifford and 2 sisters: Violet and Fern.

Viewing will be from 11:00 a.m. until the 1:00 p.m. service on Monday, July 30, 2012 at Davidson Funeral, Delphi. Pastor Ken Smith officiating. Burial will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Delphi.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT 59004.

Online Condolences: www.davidsonfh.com