John Cordes Rodenburg, 89, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at his residence.

Born on September 20, 1921 in Milwaukee, WI, he was the son of the late John Tietjen and Anna Cordes Rodenburg. He was the husband of Lois Holt Rodenburg, with whom he was married for 32 years this past October 20 ^th .

John was a 1940 graduate of the Hill School in Pottstown. He continued his education as an Engineering student at the Georgia Institute of Technology graduating in 1947. John postponed his education when he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1942. He served in the South Pacific until 1945 and was a member of the 13 ^th Air Force, attached to the 372 ^nd Squadron of the 307 ^th Bomb Group. As the pilot of a B-24 Liberator, he achieved the rank of First Lieutenant; he had also piloted the B-17 Flying Fortress. The squadron flew regular missions from the island of Morotai to various targets in the South Pacific and were known as the "Long Rangers". His aircraft was shot down in January 10, 1945 where the crew crash landed on an uncharted island. He was declared missing in action and was rescued two weeks later. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal and the Air Medal. John was a member of the Military Officers Association of America.

After the war, he entered the paper business and was employed as a salesman and sales manager for over 30 years with the St. Joe Paper Company. He resided for most of his career in Rumson, NJ and retired in Lancaster, PA.

John was an avid skier and sailor. He was previously a member of the Monmouth Boat Club and the Shrewsbury Ice Boat Club. John enjoyed spending time with his family, enjoyed music especially jazz,

and enjoyed traveling. He had a great sense of humor and an innate ability to tell a good story or a joke. He was a member of the Lancaster Elks Lodge #134, and was of the Lutheran faith.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by his son John C. II, married to Aleida S. Rodenburg of Lafayette, CA, his daughter Dale R. married to Edward Loeffler of Shelburne, VT; his stepchildren: R. Scott married to Mary Lu Coyle of Endicott, NY, Joan F. Coyle of Sacramento, CA, Patricia L. married to Robert Ressel of Lancaster, and Amy E. married to Carl Lee of Keller, TX; 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Friends will be received on Thursday, February 24, 2011 from 1-2PM at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 414 E. King St., Lancaster, PA with the Funeral Service to follow at 2PM with The Rev. Charles A. Schroeder officiating. Interment will be in the Lutheran Cemetery in Queens, NY on Friday, February 25, 2011. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Susquehanna Association of the Blind and Vision Impaired 244 N. Queen St. Lancaster, PA 17603.  To send the family an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661