George P. "Gramps" Rood, 96, of Sheridan Avenue, Niles, Michigan, died following a brief illness at 6:15 p.m. Sunday, July 2, 2006, in Lakeland Hospital, Saint Joseph, Michigan.

Mr. Rood was born on August 31, 1909, in Niles, to Alfred and Mary (Mingle) Rood. He had lived in Niles all of his life and attended Niles schools. George retired from the South Bend Tribune as head electrician, and continued to consult when needed.

Mr. Rood was a 65-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Labor Union. He was also a member of the Edwardsburg Conservation Club. George was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed breeding hunting dogs. He was also a great fan of the University of Michigan.

On April 13, 1933, in Elkhart, he married the former Doris M. Walter, who died January 2, 1985.

Mr. Rood is survived by a stepdaughter, Darlene Kujawa of Niles; two granddaughters, Linda (Pete) Logalbo of Niles and Rita Prange-Kujawa of Edwardsburg, Michigan; four grandsons, Joseph Kujawa and Scott Kujawa, both of Niles, Steven (Linda) Kujawa of Edwardsburg, Michigan, and Frank (Janet) Kujawa of Cassopolis, Michigan; 10 great-grandchildren, including Carl, Jeff and Jill, who were especially close to him; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

George was also preceded in death by three brothers, Robert Rood, Henry Rood and Roy Rood; and by two sisters, Grace Prestine and Maedean Williamson.

The family is gathering privately for the funeral services on July 7, 2006, for George P. "Gramps" Rood in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with The Rev. David Otto from Saint Mary Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of George P. "Gramps" Rood may be made to the Edwardsburg Conservation Club.

Robert Wilson Rood, 90, of Niles, Michigan, died February 6, 2004, at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles. Robert wished that no services or visitation be held in his memory, and for cremation to take place. Interment of his cremains will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, at a later date.

He was born on December 24, 1913, in Niles, Michigan. He retired as a welder from Tyler Refrigeration in 1975. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and enjoyed woodworking. He was preceded in death by his two wives, June (1956) and Marilyn (1998).

Robert Wilson Rood, 90, of Niles, Michigan, died February 6, 2004, at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles. Robert wished that no services or visitation be held in his memory, and for cremation to take place. Interment of his cremains will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, at a later date.

He was born on December 24, 1913, in Niles, Michigan. He retired as a welder from Tyler Refrigeration in 1975. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and enjoyed woodworking. He was preceded in death by his two wives, June (1956) and Marilyn (1998).