James (Rod) Rodney Windlan

James Rodney Windlan, 68, of Anderson, passed away Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at Community Hospital Anderson following a brief illness. He was born on Oct. 29, 1953, in Anderson, to Robert Windlan and Luana "Lou" Mae (Anderson) Windlan. Rod graduated from Highland High School in 1972. He also graduated from Ball State University in 1976. Then he received his master's degree in education from Ball State University in 1978. He retired in 2009 from Anderson Community Schools, teaching 30 years at South Side Middle School and three years at East Side Middle School. Rod coached girls and boys basketball at Southside Middle School for 30 years, and also coached the girls and boys varsity golf teams at Madison Heights High School for nine years. He then coached the girls varsity golf team, with his niece Lindsay, at Anderson High School for 12 years. He was then varsity assistant girls basketball coach, with his brother Bobby, at Highland High School for four years and varsity assistant coach, with his brother Tod, at several central Indiana High Schools for 18 years. He was currently the assistant boys basketball coach, with his brother Tod and nephew Karsten, at Lapel High School. Rod was an avid golfer and a longtime member of the Grandview Golf Club, Yule Golf Club Men's Club and Elwood Golf Club. Rod had 8 hole in ones and was a club champion at Grandview Golf Course and Yule Golf Course. He was an avid sports fan of Alabama football, Philadelphia Phillies baseball, Minnesota Vikings football and North Carolina Tar Heels basketball. He is survived by his mother, Lou Windlan, Anderson; siblings, Bobby (Janet) Windlan of Anderson, Laura Crenshaw of Anderson, and Tod (Stacey) Windlan of Anderson; nieces and nephews, Lindsay (John) Norris, Keely (Matt) Spangle, Sarah Windlan, Katie (Tyler) Copeland, Hogan (McKenzie Burns) Crenshaw, Kennedy (Cody Briones) Windlan, Sydney Windlan, and Karsten Windlan; and eight great-nieces and nephews. Rod was preceded in death by his father, Robert Windlan; brother-in-law, Larry Crenshaw; and a great-niece. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at Hersberger-Bozell Funeral Home, 1010 N. Main St., Lapel, with Larry Kineman officiating. Burial will follow in Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Lapel Boys Basketball program. Online condolences: www.hersbergerbozell.com. Published on December 20, 2021