ESSEX JUNCTION — Roderick Charles Isham Sr. passed away peacefully Sept. 25, 2026, at the age of 93, at Mansfield Place Assisted Living in Essex Junction, Vt.
Rod was the seventh of 14 children born to George and Sylvia (Wellinger) Isham in the family farmhouse on Oak Hill Road in Williston, Vt.
Growing up on the farm Rod learned about hard work early in life. Farm chores, cutting firewood, and helping neighbors were a constant. With such a large family hard work came with a lot of fun, laughter and food. As adults, Rod and his siblings gathered monthly along with their spouses, and growing families — where the food disappeared quickly and the laughter never stopped. Their monthly gatherings continued long after their children were grown yet remained lively and always filled with a lot of good-natured ribbing.
Rod left school early to join the U.S. Air Force, where he earned his GED. His military service afforded him the opportunity to see more of the country and travel overseas with duty assignments that included the West Coast and Guam. After active service Rod continued with the Vermont Air National Guard, and Army National Guard. He worked for Eastern States Farmers Exchange in Essex Jct.
On Aug. 17, 1957, he married Jean Fletcher of Essex Center. They remained married for the next 69 years, until Rod’s passing.
In 1961, Rod and Jean bought a small dairy farm in Hinesburg. There, Rod returned to the themes of his childhood — farm chores, cutting firewood, and helping neighbors. Over the years Rod and Jean grew the farm, acquiring more land and cattle to keep up with the times. As he neared retirement, and into his retirement years, Rod and Jean traveled extensively. Travel included trips to the West Coast, through the South and Southwest, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, ocean and river cruises, and the United Kingdom. Although he kept cutting firewood into his early 80s a few weeks in Florida every winter was a welcome break from the long Vermont winters.
Rod’s daughter Rhonda (Warren) predeceased him in 2007. He is survived by his wife, Jean (Fletcher); son, Roderick Jr. (Diane); seven grandchildren, Rebecca (Nick Laino), Brandon Isham (Caitlin), Ashley (Dustin Heath), Corey Warren, Cassandra Warren, Matthew Warren, and Damara Warren; six great-grandchildren, Spencer Heath, Willow Heath, Clara Laino, Leo Laino, Luca Laino, and Cameron Isham; his surviving siblings, brother Truman, his sisters Shirley Miles, Evelyn McSweeney, Marion Brooks (Peter), and Margaret Kimball; his sisters-in-law Judy and Ginger Isham, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held in the Parish Hall of the United Church of Hinesburg Sunday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. All are welcome. A private burial service will follow.
Rod’s family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Mansfield Place and UVM Home Health & Hospice for their unwavering care, support and kindness during Rod’s final months.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Hinesburg Food shelf (https://www.hinesburgresource.org/how-to-help.html ) or the United Church of Hinesburg (https://www.ucofh.org/donate.html). ◊
