Rodney L. Tuthill, 76, of Tamaroa, passed away at 5:30 A.M., Sunday, August 22, 2021 at the Lavender Ridge Memory Care in Mt. Vernon, IL.
He was born July 1, 1945 at Du Quoin, IL, the son of Frank and Verna (Taylor) Tuthill.
Rodney lived in Tamaroa his entire life. He met the love of his life, Diann George, there. Their first date was a hay ride in 1959. Diann was in eighth grade, Rodney was a freshman. Rodney lived in the "city" of Tamaroa and Diann lived in the "country". During high school, Rodney mowed lawns and did odd jobs so that he could buy a car to visit Diann in the country, and take her on dates in the city. They were married November 21, 1964 at Tamaroa Christian Church. They have been together and in love for 62 years.
Rodney started working with his uncles and his cousin, Grant Taylor at Taylor Brothers Welding Service in Tamaroa in 1964. He worked side by side with Grant for 49 years. Rodney was a skilled welder, and eventually became the welding supervisor at Taylor Brothers. Rodney took pride in his work, and could tell you anything you wanted to know about the mining machines he spent his life building and repairing.
Rodney was a lifelong member of Tamaroa Christian Church, where he was a Deacon and Sunday school superintendent for many years. Rodney was fortunate to grow up in a Christian home where his parents Frank and Verna taught him to love Jesus. Rodney taught his sons Todd and Craig to love Jesus too. He baptized Todd and Craig, and two of his grandchildren Jessica and Justin.
Rodney loved to fish. He and Diann spent countless evenings, weekends, and vacations on several lakes across Illinois and Missouri. He loved the water, and he helped his sons learn to fish and to water ski.
Rodney loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife of Tamaroa, two sons - Todd Tuthill and wife Karen of Tucson, AZ and Craig Tuthill and wife Christine of Oklahoma City, OK, four grandchildren - Jessica Tuthill of Phoenix, AZ, Justin Tuthill of Hollywood, CA, Amanda Hays and husband Philip of Rochester, NY, and Allison Brackemyre and husband Joe of Indianapolis, IN, and one sister - Sharon Hagston of Tamaroa.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa with Arven Kirkpatrick officiating.
Friends may call from 9 A.M. until the time of service on Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa.  The family request that those attending the service wear a mask.
Burial will be in the Tamaroa Cemetery at Tamaroa.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Tamaroa Christian Church or contributions will also be accepted at the funeral home.