obit art 5Rodney James Vernon, 61, of Cadiz, formerly of Adena, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Trinity Medical Center West in Steubenville.

He was born Sept. 10, 1953 in River Rouge, Mich., a son of the late Charles Daniel and Neila June Lewis Vernon. Rodney was a self-employed master plasterer and was Methodist by faith. He was a member of the US Trotters Association and graduated from Adena High School, where he was active in football, basketball and baseball. Surviving are two daughters, Heather Mason of Cadiz and Amanda Wilson of Columbus; three step-sons, Gregory Davis (Janelle) of Columbus, Iman Davis of Cadiz and Donald Evans of Adena; seventeen grandchildren; five siblings, Charles Vernon, II (Annie) of McComb, MI, Brian Vernon of Cadiz, Neila Marie Bond (Mike) of Brown Deer, Wis., Judy Hocker of Charleston, W.Va., and Trudy Howard of Wheeling, W.Va.; an aunt; two great aunts; many nieces and nephews; grand nieces and grand nephews; and his former wife, Jacqueline Vernon of Cadiz.

A memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 at 3 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Cadiz, 154 West Market St., Cadiz, Ohio. Rev. Dr. John E. Harris will officiate. The family is being assisted by Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, 172 S. Main St., Cadiz, Ohio. Online condolences may be made at www.clark-kirkland.com.