Emery E. Rhodes 1909-2002

RHODES, GINGERICH, BEARD

Posted By: Lori Clark (email)
Date: 10/9/2002 at 15:21:53

Emery E. Rhodes, age 93 formerly of 415 Koser Avenue, Iowa City died Thursday, August 15, 2002, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Sunday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with the Reverend Dendy Garrett officiating. Burial at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be after 1pm Sunday until services. There will be a reception for family and friends following the graveside services back at the funeral home. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Emery’s services and his family.

Mr. Rhodes was born June 3, 1909, near Sharon Center, Iowa the son of Chris J. and Eliza (Gingerich) Rhodes. He married Ellen Beard October 25, 1935, in Iowa City. Emery taught school in Johnson County and Coralville for 13 years, and farmed in Washington County until 1962. He was instrumental in starting Goodwill Industries in Iowa City, and served as it first personnel manager. He was financial secretary of First United Methodist Church in Iowa City for sixteen years and served as a council member and Mayor of University Heights until his retirement in 1993. Emery was honored as Handicapped Worker of Johnson County in 1971, and Johnson County Handicapped Iowan of 1982.

His family includes his wife, Ellen; one son, Gary and his wife, Gail Rhodes of Surprise, AZ; one daughter, Donna Lawler and her husband, Junior of Eldora, Iowa; one sister, Alta Marner of Kalona, and one brother, Eldon Rhodes of Kalona; five grandchidlren, and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Eliza Rhodes; three brothers, Frank, John and Omar Rhodes; two sisters, Ella Hostetler and Katie Frey.