Rodney Howard Detty

Rodney Howard Detty, 80, of Marshall, Michigan passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on October 17, 1942 to Howard and Martha (Deemer) Detty in Portsmouth, Ohio.

After graduating from Piketon High School in Piketon, Ohio, Rodney attended and graduated from Ohio State University in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

He accepted a position in the product engineering department at Eaton Manufacturing Company in Marshall, Michigan. Rodney was inducted into the United States Army on May 16, 1968 and was honorably discharged on May 15, 1970 attaining the rank of Specialist 5. Returning to Marshall and the Eaton Marshall Division of Eaton Yale & Towne, he spent several years on the design of new products, not all of which made it into production, a couple that did were automotive locking differentials and automotive superchargers. After moving into engineering department computer support and then back into product design, Rodney retired in 2000 from the Torque Control Products Division after 34 years of service.

On February 18, 1983, Rodney married Georgann Lautenslager-Labun in Marshall.

He was a former member of the Marshall Jaycees and was an active member of the Marshall Lions Club (Club President, Club Secretary, Zone Chair and Region Chair) and the Marshall American Legion Post 79 (Post Commander, Post Adjutant and Post Finance Officer). In retirement he kept busy working part time at a funeral home assisting in the parking lot and with visitations.

An interesting story about Rodney, shortly after marrying Georgann, he discovered one of her neighbors was Carole Spriggle (CJ Shapiro, local realtor) whom he graduated with in the same class at Piketon High School. They would catch up on the happenings in the "hills and hollers" frequently.

Rodney was an avid reader as he would read several books a day. He enjoyed watching Jeopardy, of course he knew a vast majority of the answers, the Wheel of Fortune, and completing Sudoku puzzles. Above all else he loved being with his grandchildren.

Rodney is survived by his loving spouse of 40 years Georgann, his son, Gregory (Sandy) Labun of Ceresco, Michigan; his siblings, David (Pamela) Keith Detty of Zanesville, Ohio, Joyce (Eddie) Lou Varney of West Chester, Ohio and Pamela (Chuck) Davis of Piketon, Ohio; his two granddaughters, Macy (Ryan) Labun-Bailey and Amanda (Nicholas Hinman)  Labun; his great grandchildren, Eloise Yukic, Truett Yukic, Gabriela Hinman, Harlyn Labun-Bailey, Milo Labun-Bailey; his brother-in-law, Bob (Becky) Rapp of Eckford, Michigan. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, John Labun II, his In-laws, Richard and Florence Lautenslager, his sister-in-law, Patricia Rapp and his aunt Irene Lake.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 11:00 am at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.

Memorials are suggested to the Oaklawn Hospice (13444 Preston Dr. Marshall, MI 49068) or Mobile Meals of Marshall (P.O. Box 902, Marshall, MI 49068).

Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.