Obituary of Rodney Dean McAlister

Rodney Dean McAlister, of Newton, passed away Saturday, July 21, 2012, at his home in Newton. Friends may call at the Community Heights Alliance Church 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m., Wednesday, July 25. Funeral services for Rodney will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the church. Pastor John Patterson will conduct the services. The family also invites friends and relatives of Rod to join them at the Newton American Legion, 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. The Pence - Reese Funeral Home in Newton, has been entrusted with the arrangements. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers, memorials in Rodney's name may be left at the funeral home or church. Rodney, the son of Edward "Eddie" Dean McAlister and Mary Louise (Nichols) Disbro, was born February 8, 1960, in Newton. He attended Wentworth Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri and Newton Senior High, Class of 1978. On Dec. 5, 1981, Rodney was united in marriage with Sara Lint in St. Charles, MO. A lifelong resident of the Newton area, he devoted his life to his family and friends. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, traveling, antiques, and was a past member of the Izaak Walton League. On November 28, 1998, Rodney was united in marriage with Renee Diane Murray in Eureka Springs, AR. He was formerly employed as a traveling lineman, then went on to work for Maytag and also owned his own carpet installation/cleaning business. Rodney was preceded in death by his parents. Those left to honor Rodney's memory include his wife Renee of Newton; three children: daughters: Jennifer Goulet and her husband Philip of Avon, IN, and Somer McAlister of Newton, a son Nicholas McAlister of Newton; step-daughter Stephanie Murray of Newton; six grandchildren: Jaredyn, Gabriella, Madelynn, Jaxson, Olivia and Tristan; his step-father Melvin Disbro; and his many friends.