Jesse G. Rodriguez, 72, of New Bremen, died suddenly at 1:10 A.M. on Monday, February 18, 2019, at his winter residence in St. Petersburg, Florida.

He was born on August 23, 1946 in Bryan, Ohio to the late Adolfo E. and Guadalupe "Lupe" M. (Garza) Rodriguez. On August 23, 1985 he married Connie Cardwell, and she survives.

Also surviving are his children Aaron (Chaz) Rodriguez of Celina, Nicole (Brad) Schoen of Winterville, NC, and Melissa Cornwell of Wapakoneta, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his siblings: Helen (Jay) Litherland of Sarasota, FL, Benito (Sandy) Rodriguez of Forrest, OH, Margaret (Bob) McNaughton of St. Petersburg, FL, Beda (Bob) Sielschott of Lima, and Judy (Brad) Mann of St. Petersburg, FL.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Adolph Rodriguez, Jr., Mary Bennett, and Beatrice Hicks.

Jesse was a member of the New Bremen American Legion Post 241 where he was a member of the Military Honor Guard, and he belonged to the National Horseshoe Pitcher's Association.

He was a 1964 graduate of Parkway High School in Rockford, Ohio. Jesse had been a security officer at Crown Equipment Corp. in New Bremen for 20 years, NIDEC/Minster Corp. in Minster for 13 years, and General Dynamics in Lima for over 19 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing cards, pitching horseshoes, and playing golf with the "Silver Swingers".

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 25, 2019, at 9:30 A.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen.

Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019 from 2:00 until 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in honor of Jesse can be made for teaching and developing care for heart health.

Condolences to the family can be left online at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.