PASSAGES Rodney Russell Prunckle; 65, died March 14

Son of the late Irene “Dixie” and Joseph Prunckle; life partner for over 30 years of Michael Michniak; brother of Wesley and Darlene Prunckle; uncle of Wesley, Jr., and John; Godfather of Joseph Prunckle; oldest and dearest friend of Gerald Griffin; “pet parent” of Little Mickey the parrot.

A graduate of DePaul University, Rodney taught music before working at Marshall Field’s in Sales, Management and Human Resources from 1975 until his retirement in 2003. He studied flute with Don Peck (who was 1st Chair Flutist for the Chicago Symphony) and played with the Civic Orchestra, the Lake Shore Orchestra and many smaller ensembles.

Rodney and Michael loved to travel and made their first voyage in 1982 to Puerto Rico soon after they met. Along with Gerald, they travelled to Egypt, London and throughout the Caribbean. Rodney and Michael recently visited their favorite city, San Francisco, for Rodney’s Godchild’s wedding. Rodney wanted a photo taken of him on “Hippie Hill” where he felt himself a kindred spirit of the love generation.

Services are private.

Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois, 773-281-5058 or www.cremation-society.com.