Eddie Joe Rhoades

Ed loved life and people and doing family things, whether fishing, making molasses or maple syrup or giving away bushels of sweet corn.  He had a wealth of knowledge and could sit down and visit with anyone.  His grandchildren loved to hear him tell stories about the many hunting and fishing trips he went on. He was quite a story teller, just one of the memories we will hold dear in our hearts. He was especially close to his grandchildren and was so proud of each one.  Ed loved the Lord and the church, and wanted more than anything for his grandchildren to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Psalm78:4 “..we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

Eddie Joe Rhoades (Ed) was born the youngest of four children to Jay and Erma (Williams) Rhoades on May 7, 1944, in Unionville, Missouri.  Ed passed away Easter Sunday, April 16 ^th , 2017.  He was 72 years of age.

Ed was baptized at the age of twelve, in a pond on the farm after church services one summer night.  As he told it, several adults held flashlights to give light for this special event.  That life decision, to choose Jesus, has had a great impact on his life and the lives of his children and grandchildren. Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Ed attended Lucerne Grade School, and graduated from Unionville High School in 1962.  Ed attended college at the University of Missouri, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Education, in 1967.  He married his beautiful wife, Mildred Ellen (Guffey) Rhoades in 1968.  They have always been a great example of love and dedication for their family.  They lived on the family farm in Lucerne, Missouri where they raised three sons; James, Michael, and Phillip.  He was a 4th generation farmer that loved to take care of the land that God had blessed his family with.  Ed was a leader in the Lucerne Christian Church where he had been a Sunday School Teacher and enjoyed serving as an elder for many years.  He served on the Putnam County R1 school board for 15 years and was proud to present all three sons their high school diploma.  He also served several years on the Missouri Farm Credit Services board, the National Farm Credit Council in Washington D.C., and was presently serving on the North Central Missouri Electric board of Directors.

Survivors include: his wife Mildred, three sons: James (Jaci) and Michael Rhoades of Lucerne, Mo, and Phillip (Amy) Rhoades of Princeton, Mo; eight grandchildren:  James and Jaci’s children; Jay, Tanner, Graycie, and Alivia of Lucerne and Phillip and Amy’s children; Riley, Justin, Andrew, and Ethan of Princeton; Ed also is survived by a sister: Ruth Dean (Rhoades) Kelly of St. Joseph, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Erma Rhoades, his older brothers; James Forrest, who died at birth and Billy Wayne (2009); a sister-in-law, Sue (Fitzwater) Rhoades and brother-in-law Don Kelly.

Funeral services for Ed Rhoades will be at the Lucerne Christian Church in Lucerne, MO, at 10:00 am, Monday, april 24, 2017.  Visitation will be at the Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm Sunday, April 23.  Interment will be at the Lucerne Cemetery

Memorials are suggested to the Lucerne Christian Church and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO  63565.