Eldon Rhodes

A celebration of life for Eldon W. Rhodes, 96 of Kalona will be held Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 1:30 PM at East Union Mennonite Church with Pastor Sonya Stauffer Kurtz officiating.  Burial will follow at East Union Cemetery in rural Kalona.  Visitation will be held Friday, April 25 from 2 – 7 PM at East Union Mennonite Church fellowship hall.  A memorial fund has been established for East Union Mennonite Church and Pleasantview Home. Eldon Rhodes died Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at Pleasantview Home in Kalona.

Eldon Wayne Rhodes was born August 6, 1917 in rural Kalona, Iowa, the son of Chris J. and Eliza (Gingerich) Rhodes.  He attended rural schools and played basketball for Sharon High School, graduating in 1934.  On December 24, 1939 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Miller at the bride's parent's home in rural Kalona.  Eldon was baptized in 1930 and was a lifelong member of East Union Mennonite Church where he served in many ways, including church trustee, Sunday School superintendent and teacher of all ages.  He also served on the school board at Iowa Mennonite School.  Eldon was a farmer all of his life and enjoyed Hawkeye basketball and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Kalona, Iowa, four children: Colleen (John) Stoltzfus of Goshen, Indiana, Dale (Charlene) Rhodes of Riverside, Iowa, Dean (Becky) Rhodes of Goshen, Indiana, Lana (John) Mills of Creede, Colorado, nine grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren and one great great grandson.

Preceding Eldon in death were his parents, four brothers: Frank, John, Omar and Emery Rhodes, three sisters; Ella Hostetler, Katie Frey and Alta Marner, a granddaughter in law, Heidi Siemens-Rhodes, and a great granddaughter, Willa Siemens-Rhodes.