Elias Casiano Rodriguez

Elias Casino Rodriguez was born on May 26, 1916 in Devine, Tx., to Jesus and Victoria Rodriguez. He was the eldest of four children. Elias died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 101. He was a long time resident of Le Grand, Ca.. In April of 1942 he married the love of his life Eloisa Valdez in San Antonio, Tx.. He then joined the Army in November and became a prisoner of war for nine months. He was honorably discharged on June of 1945, earning a Bronze Star. Elias was a brave and loyal soldier, as well as a patient and loving father. He enjoyed working outdoors and worked for Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad for twenty years while living in Michigan. In 1966, after retirement he and his family moved to California where he worked for the Pacific Railroad. He then worked for the Merced County Parks and Recreation. After retiring, he volunteered at the Planada Senior Center delivering meals to senior citizen residents of Planada and Le Grand, Ca.. He was a long time member of the Le Grand Apostolic Church and the American Legion of Le Grand. One of Elias favorite lifetime pastimes was watching baseball. Elias also served as the Grand Marshall twice in the Merced Veteran’s Parade. Also participated in the Le Grand community parade several times. On May 27, 2017 was his last parade at the age of 101. He was honored with the California State flag by Assemblyman Cannela and the Nations flag by Congressman Costa that was flown over the Nations Capital. He is survived by his daughters Aurora (Domingo) Vasquez, San Antonio, Tx., Eloisa Rodriguez, Olivia (Julian) Flores, Le Grand, Ca., Gloria (Edward Dag) Rodriquez-Dag, Atwater ,Ca.. Along with his fifty-one grandchildren, his twenty-seven great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Eloisa and daughters Elsa and Minerva.

A celebration of life will be held at the Le Grand Apostolic Church at 11:00 a.m., Friday November 10th. Interment will follow at Plainsburg Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Pastor Julian Flores.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.