For those who cannot attend the service, it will be web broadcast at the bottom of this obituary starting at 10:15 AM on Tuesday. Scroll down and click the ARROW to start the broadcast at 10:15 AM.
Edward Rodwell, MSG (ret.)
Sunrise: 2-22-1941 Sunset: 2-07-2022
Former Director of Berks County Veterans Affairs Office
There is a golden chain of memories that binds two families together. A chain so strong it holds you fast through fair or stormy weather. Its links are forged of love and trust, of happy moments shared, of time, it meant so much to know that someone special cared. The years can never break that chain but only add new lengths as joy and sorrow, hope and plans combine to give it strength.
On Monday, February 7th, at 1:35p.m. with his family keeping watch at his bedside, the Lord came, and with a twinkling of an eye, gathered Edward (Ed) in His arms to carry him home to be with Him forever. God wanted another soldier to keep watch over His garden of love. The ultimate act of God's love is when He sees fit to take one of His children home to be with Him. The bereaved did not lose a husband, father grandfather, uncle or friend. We can only lose someone when their whereabouts are unknown. Anyone who knew Ed knows where he is today, sadly missed by us, but greatly blessed of God. Born in Warrenton, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Peter Bruce and Bertha Watson Rodwell. Ed was raised in the City of Baltimore, along with his older brother and sister.
Education and Service
He attended Dunbar High School in Baltimore, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer in March 1959. Two years after completing Basic Training, Sgt. Rodwell volunteered for duty in Korea, where his enlistment was extended due to the Berlin build-up in 1960-1961. After returning from Korea, Sgt. Rodwell re-enlisted and volunteered for duty in Germany. He was assigned to Bad Hersfeld, where for three years, he performed Engineer tasks such as practicing demolition of bridges, building bunkers in the Five Kilometer Zone, and laying minefields along the U.S.S.R. border in order to prevent communist aggression along the Fulda Gap. Upon completion of his tour in Germany, he was assigned to Phuoc-Vinh Vietnam, where his company executed a variety of combat missions against hostile forces. He then served as 151 Sergeant in Hanau, Germany before being assigned again to Vietnam at Ban-Me-Thuot. Sgt. Rodwell later earned a B.S. from Albright College and a Masters of Human Services from Lincoln University.
Upon completion of his second tour in Vietnam, Sgt. Rodwell was assigned to Ft. Belvoir, VA, where he served as Training N.C.O. before volunteering for recruitment duties, which brought him to Reading in August 1971. He held this position until 1978, when he was promoted to Master Sergeant and assigned to the Pittsburgh Recruiting Battalion, where he worked as Operations N.C.O. until retiring in April 1979.
Sgt. Rodwell received several military awards including the Soldiers Medal for Heroism in the Republic of Vietnam, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against .Hostile Forces in Vietnam, several Army Commendation Medals, six awards of the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal with Palm Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. After his retirement from the U.S. Army, Sgt. Rodwell worked as a Press Operator at Dana Corporation and Kawecki-Berylco, Real Estate Agent, and Recruiting Specialist with the Department of the Army before becoming the Director of the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs, a position which he held for 14 years. While serving as the Berks County Director, he was also elected to the positions of Vice President and President of the Pennsylvania State Association of the County Directors of Veterans Affairs. While serving in these important leadership positions, he supported legislation providing increased benefits for veterans. For his service to veterans he received the Governor's Meritorious Service Medal on July 6, 2004 as Director of the Berks County Veterans Affairs Office.
The memory of Ed shall never fade from the hearts of the loved ones left behind. His beloved wife, Grace Davies Rodwell; one daughter Crystal Edwards Thomas (Cortland) of Philadelphia, PA; two sons Malachi Rodwell and Darius Graham of Reading, PA; one granddaughter Lana Mae Thomas of Philadelphia, PA; one bonus daughter Annette Williams of Reading; two bonus sons Lloyd Jackson of Florida and Tyrone Rison of Reading, PA; two nephews, Donnie and Earl of Baltimore, MD; nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. He holds dear in his heart Maddie Pacifico, William "Bill" Danner (Mabel), Tom White, Sam Westmoreland (Mary), and Ed Halloway (Vivian). He was predeceased by his father, Peter Bruce; mother, Bertha Rodwell; brother, Ernest Rodwell; sister, Lillie Mae Harris; and bonus son, Lindsay R. Jackson
Parting comes and hearts are broken
Loved ones go with words unspoken
Deep in our hearts there's a memory kept for a
husband, father, and grandfather we'll never forget
Your life was full of loving deeds
Forever thoughtful of our needs
Today and tomorrow our life through
We will always love and cherish you.
Forever in our hearts,
Grace, Crystal, Malachi, and Lana Mae
Acknowledgments
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation for all acts of kindness shown and expressions of comfort extended during these hours of bereavement. A special thank you to Heartland Hospice. We can only think of two words with eight letters - Thank You.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hannah's Hope Ministries, 736 Upland Avenue, Reading, PA 19607
Friends, relatives ans all veterans are invited to attend his viewing on Monday, February 14th from 5 - 7 PM at Feeney Funeral home and Tuesday, February 15th from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at Cavalry UCC Church Centre Ave at Oley Street Reading PA. Religious Service at 10:30 AM with Military Honors from the Topton American Legion prior to Religious Service. All Vietnam Veterans are encouraged to attend our brothers service. Funeral Procession to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery leave the church promptly at 12 Noon for a burial service with full military honors at 1:30 PM
Arrangements entrusted to John P. Feeney Funeral Home, Inc. 625 N. 4th Street at Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601, 610-372-4160. Obituary, web broadcast and condolences at www.johnpfeeney.com.
For those who cannot attend the service, it will be web broadcast on this obituary starting at 10:15 AM on Tuesday. Scroll down and click the ARROW to start the broadcast at 10:15 AM.
