Jack R. Hodgen

Jack R. Hodgen, age 70, died on Saturday, December 5, 2015 in Frankfort, after a long journey through Alzheimer’s disease. A Clinton County native born on January 7, 1945, to Mr. and Mrs. Noble and Eleanor Hodgen, Jack graduated from Rossville High School in 1963. Jack was a Vietnam veteran, serving his country from September 1965 to July 1967. Jack gave credit to his mother’s daily prayers for bringing him and all of his squad back home to their families.

After his return, Jack married Phyllis Clendenning, his wife of 47 years and faithful companion and caregiver through his illness. Jack and Phyllis farmed in Owen Township for more than a dozen years. Many in the area will also remember him as their rural route mail carrier that would make his deliveries this time of year wearing his favorite Santa hat in place of his usual cap.

Jack will be remembered for his faithful service, strong work ethic, kind heart, and contagious laugh. His nieces, nephews, and grandkids cherish their memories of time spent with him on the farm and Hodgen’s Lake.

Jack is survived by wife, Phyllis of Frankfort; mother, Eleanor at Wesley Manor; son, Noble Hodgen, and his wife, Jennifer, of Sedalia; daughter, Melissa Taylor, and her husband, Alex, of Bellevue, WA; beloved grandkids, Devin and Mackenzie Hodgen, and Thomas, Claire, and Anna Taylor; siblings, Ronald Hodgen of Somerville, AL, Marilyn Minich of Flora, and Bill Hodgen of Wolcotteville. Jack was preceded in death by his father, Noble; sister, Marcia Parsons; and brother, Gary Hodgen.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at Genda Funeral Home Rossville Chapel from 3:00 -7:00 p.m.  Funeral service in Jack’s honor will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015, at the funeral home with Pastor Tamika Montgomery officiating.  Burial will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery with military honors.  Online condolences may be directed to online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.

Donations in memory of Jack can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting Jack’s memorial page at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_tributes.asp; or by mail to Alzheimer's Association
P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011; Jack R. Hodgen Memorial in memo line of check.