Rev. Rodney Tyiska

TYISKA, Rev. Rodney - Age 60, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Family hour 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at Quinn Chapel AME Church, 2101 Lippincott Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 12 noon. Rev. Marcus Cylar officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the church 11 a.m. Wednesday. Rev. Tyiska will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Rev. Rodney Demorie Tyiska was born August 16, 1952, Flint, MI. Rodney was the son of James Troy and Alice Jean (Payne) Tyiska. Rodney was always active in church and accepted Christ at an early age. He was avid swimmer, played the trumpet and was in Boy couts and also enjoyed camping. Rodney graduated from Flint Southwestern High School in 1970. He attended Western Michigan University where he became a man of the Epsilon Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He sang with several choirs and was involved in many theater productions. Rodney returned to Flint and reunited with Quinn Chapel A.M.E Church and was called to the ministry and preached his trial sermon in 1995. He attended Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, MI. Rodney was ordained in the A.M.E Church and received his Local Elder Orders. Rev. Tyiska served at Quinn Chapel AMEC on the ministerial staff and as Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Pastor and Class Leader. He was a member of the Chancel, Praise and Worship Choirs, and Boy Scout Leader. Rev. Tyiska was an active parent in the schools Troy attended. He was also active in the community, a member of F.A.C.T, Flint Youth Theater, Bible Study Fellowship and Flint Community Players. He was the recipient of many awards including one from the Kalamazoo-Muskegon Michigan National Black Nurses Association. Rev. R. Demorie Tyiska leaves to cherish his memory: daughter, Kristapher "Krista" Demetria Roberson of Kalamazoo, MI; son, Troy Demorie Tyiska; mother, A Jean Tyiska; sisters, Rev. Andra Tyiska Johnson, Patrice Tyiska of Flint; nieces, Jere' Sims, Aleya Tyiska, Sherrisa Powell; nephews, Ja'Aire Johnson and Eric Sims, all of Flint; great-nieces, Kiara Powell, Kya Powell, Keionna Johnson, Imani Johnson and Camille Johnson; great-nephew, Elijah Dunigan; fiance', Birthale Archie of Grand Rapids, MI; aunts, Elaine Jordan of Detroit, MI, Ora Smith of San Francisco, CA, Ruth Wynn of Tyler, TX, Belvia Strickland, Mattie Tyiska of Chicago, IL, Maude Tyiska, Iota Payne of Flint; uncle, William Jones of Tyler, TX; God-brother, Derrick (Mary) Turner of Lansing, Ml; He also leaves to cherish a host of cousins, friends and the Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church and First Community A.M.E. Church families. Rev. Rodney Tyiska was preceded in death by his father, James Tyiska; grandparents, Demorie and Bessie Tyiska, Earl and Allie Payne; and great-nephew, Eric Sims, Jr. We would like to Thank Pastor and Evangelist Cylar for their loving, care and kindness. Special Thanks to Jack and Tim RN's and CICU 4th Floor Staff for all their care.

Rev. Rodney Tyiska

August 16, 1952 - April 9, 2013