DAHLGREN – Rodney Everett Wallace, 79, of Dahlgren, died at 5:45 a.m. Jan. 17, 2026, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

He was born July 24, 1946, in McLeansboro, the son of Everett Henry and Vera Evelyn (Bishop) Wallace. He married Eva Jean Hart on Dec. 27, 1968, in Dahlgren. She survives.

Wallace served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy and completed his military career in Scotland. He later returned home to operate the family farm and continued farming as long as he was able. He also worked for and retired from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Division.

He enjoyed fast cars, trading machinery and vehicles, and drag racing.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at the funeral home, with Monsignor Joseph Lawler and Brian Henderson officiating. Burial will follow at Richardson Hill Cemetery, with military rites.

Survivors include his wife, Eva Wallace of Dahlgren; a daughter, Michele Lynette (Jeff) Lueke; three sons: Craig Ryan Wallace, Rodney Aaron (Jami) Wallace, and Justin Zebadiah (Jessica) Wallace; grandchildren: Emily Ann (Kyle) Summerville, Elijah Anton (Abby) Lueke, Sawyer Uriah Lueke, Samuel Paul (Ella Reed) Lueke, Caroline Marie (Hunter Murphy) Lueke, Maizy Grace Nicole Wallace, Henry Grayson Wallace, Leo Morgan Wallace, Cecelia Elizabeth Lueke, Ana Leigh Bullock, Ezra Everett Wallace, Lilly Mae Bullock, Kohen Zebadiah Wallace, and Ashton Drake Wallace; two great-grandchildren, Nolan Wayne Summerville and Stella Rose Summerville; a sister, Cherlyn Suzanne Wilkey; brothers-in-law: Gary (Jeanette) Hart, Tom (Cindy) Hart and Jerry (Heidi) Hart; sisters-in-law: Vicki (John) Bowling and Sherry (Steve) Bowling; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Beverly Yvonne Robertson; his parents-in-law, Arza and Helen Hart; and a brother-in-law, Donnie Wilkey.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in memory of Jace Bowling and Rodney Wallace, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in memory of Rodney Wallace, or to the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Harre Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.