Firefighter Dennis Rodeman’s Funeral Today

The funeral for 35-year-old Lansing Firefighter Dennis Rodeman will be held today at Michigan State University's Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Rodeman was fatally run over last week while collecting money for MDA at the corner of Jolly and Cedar in South Lansing.  Hundreds of people showed up yesterday for visitation. Rodeman, a seven-year veteran of the Lansing Fire Department, also served in the Marines in Iraq. He had just married this past June – his wife is pregnant with their first child. The man who seemingly, intentionally, killed Rodeman has a history of mental abuse and is facing murder charges.

The Governor has ordered US and state flags be lowered to half staff today in honor of Rodeman, a Vermontville native. There will be a 25 mile funeral procession through downtown Lansing to a rural cemetery near Charlotte – the procession will pass by Sparrow Hospital, where Rodeman’s widow, Kate, is a trauma nurse. The LSJ also reports that the route will also include Fire Station #1 on Grand Avenue in downtown Lansing, where a US flag is hanging between two ladder trucks in tribute.

The Lansing State Journal reports that delays are expected between Noon and 2PM as the procession travels from Kalamazoo and Harrison to Michigan Avenue to Grand Avenue, to Shiawassee, Capitol Avenue to St. Joe to 496 at Pine.

TV 10 reports that a refurbished 1937 fire truck will carry Rodemans’ body today – loaned to LFD by the city of Detroit. "Lansing Fire" was custom painted on it for today’s final ride for Rodeman.