Roderick D. "Rod" Latta

He was born July 3, 1925 to the late Claude C. & Mabel (Green) Latta in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

He married Bonnie Voris on May 14, 1977, in Bloomington, IL and she survives.

Rod graduated high school from Treadwell High School of Memphis Tennessee in 1943. Following high school Rod served in the Army Signal Corp during World War II as a Sgt Provost Marshall until 1947. After completing his service he pursued his calling into the ministry at Oklahoma Baptist University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Music in 1950. At OBU Rod was a member of the Bison Glee Club under the renowned direction of Dean Warren Angell. His involvement in the Bison Glee Club began his lifelong love of men’s chorus. Rod furthered his education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth Texas where he graduated with a Masters of Religious Education in 1953.

Rod served the Lord in numerous churches and positions throughout his life. He was Minister of Music at First Baptist Church Stamford, TX (1954-57), First Baptist Church, McAllen, TX (1957-64), First Baptist Church Ferguson, MO (1964-67). He also served the Illinois Baptist State Association as the Director of Church Music for 10 years (1967-77). Through these years he had the distinction of serving as the Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention Church Music Conference and a committee member responsible for the publication and development of the Baptist Hymnal (edition 1975) by Broadman Press. He later continued to serve the Lord as Director of Music for Calvary Temple in Springfield IL (1978-86), Faith Assembly of God in Lincoln IL (1988), and Calvary Assembly of God in Bloomington IL (1989).

His love for music flourished as Rod and Bonnie founded the Latta Suzuki School of Music in Springfield IL which they owned and operated for 24 years. Teaching violin at the school and assisting Bonnie with the development and growth of the school was a passion of his life. Rod was an active member of Westside Christian Church. When Rod and Bonnie joined West Side Christian Church it didn’t take long for them to get involved in the music program. Rod’s love for men’s chorus once again blossomed as he directed the Faithful Men’s Chorus at Westside Christian Church.

Besides his wife Bonnie, he is survived by his 8 children, Mike (wife Raylene) Latta of Ft. Worth, TX, David (wife Kathy) Latta of Bellevue, NE, Valerie Green of Ft. Worth, TX, Nancy (husband Larry) Albert of Hudson Oaks, TX, Andy (wife Polly) Latta of Tahlequah, OK, Craig (wife Lynnette) Latta of Ft. Worth, TX, Larry (wife Anne) Dill of St. Louis, MO, and Janet (husband Mark) Brewer of Springfield; eighteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and two on the way.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by 1 granddaughter Katlyn Brewer.

Services are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, Springfield. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018 from 4 till 7 pm at West Side Christian Church in Springfield. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 10 am at the church. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield.

Memorials may be made to West Side Christian Church, Springfield.

Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.