Roderick Appelhanz

Roderick "Rod" James Appelhanz, 63, died June 4, 2013 at his home, surrounded by family to whom he was lovingly known as Rocky. He was born on March 21, 1950 in Topeka, Kansas. He is survived by his son, Clinton D. Appelhanz, of Topeka; his daughter, Anna J. Wilson, her husband Logan and his beloved grandchildren, Colton James and Lillyan Rose of Dover; his father and stepmother, Isadore (Ike) and Sara Appelhanz; sisters Christine (Ron) Finn of Olathe, Janet Shaw of Overland Park, Amy (John) Tompkins and Elizabeth Dewitt of Topeka; brothers Frederick of Holton, Michael (Cindy) and Daniel (Denise) of Topeka; and a very large extended family. Roderick was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Jean Evans Appelhanz and a brother, John Scott Appelhanz.

Raised in Topeka, Roderick attended school at Most Pure Heart of Mary, Landon and Topeka West High School. He served in the Army from 1969-1971, on active duty in Vietnam as a Flash Range Crewman at the Con-Thien firebase near the DMZ, an area frequently under heavy fire. He was a member of the American Legion Post #1 in Topeka.

After military service, Roderick resided in Topeka and near Maple Hill. He married Carol J. Duffy in 1982. They were divorced in 2004. A devoted father, he enjoyed camping and fishing with his family, helping out on ranches in the Maple Hill area, and, in recent years, spending time with Colton and Lillyan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Assumption Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka. Roderick will lie in state on Monday, June 10, 2013 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th St., where the family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, 530 W. Maple Ave., Hartford, KS 66854.