Laurence Winton Rhoads

RHOADS Laurence Winton Rhoads, 95, Mount Vernon, formerly of Centerburg and Galena, passed away at his home November 22, 2010 surrounded by his family after a long battle with "old age" or as he often said "a case of just living too long". He was born March 25, 1915 to William and Gertrude (Budd) Rhoads in Harlem Township in the Galena/Sunbury area. He was number five in birth order in a family of fourteen children. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years Mildred M. (Brown) Rhoads on August 22, 2008. He was drafted into the Army shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 and served his Country in active combat in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. He was a decorated veteran including two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. A portion of his life and World War II experience was featured in the Mount Vernon News Veterans Day Week 2009. After returning from the war he was a grain and dairy farmer and later became an electrician. Retired at 70 years of age from the State of Ohio as a State Electrical Inspector. He was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening and his antique Ford tractor. Laurence will always be remembered for his humor, ready jokes and stories. He and Mildred spent several years wintering in Brookville, Florida. Laurence is survived by five daughters, Sherry Rhoads Davis, Lois Badger, Rita (Karrick) McKinney, Joan (Ed Wright) Rhoads and Rhonda (Rodney) Arter; 14 grandchildren, Gretchen (Doug) Hawk, Eric (Melony) Davis, Sonya Sheldon (Carmen Cook), Spencer (Debbie) Sheldon, Skip (Laura) Sant, Scott (Tonya) Sant, Steve (Teresa) Sant, Jamie (Amy) McClain, Misty (Mitch) Rohr, Jason (Lori) Hendrickson, Brandi (Dustin) Whitesel, Will (Wengy) Arter and Arianne (John) Schwanke; as well as 39 great-grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Also surviving are five sisters, Lucille Beelisle, Dorothy Stiles, Juanita Walter, Opal Norgren and Erma Moon; and a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Don Lewis; many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends including his Lock Church Family. He was preceded in death in addition to his wife Mildred by his first grandson Brent Davis in 2004, brothers Vernon and Cecil and sisters Wanda, Pauline, Winona, Mildred, Muriel and Connie, as well as many nieces and nephews and dear friends. A graveside service with Military Honors will be Saturday, November 27, 2010, 9:30 a.m. at Eastview Cemetery, Centerburg, Ohio followed by a Celebration of Life at the Lock Federated Church, 7939 Lock Road, Centerburg, Ohio 43011. Rev. Jack Clouston, longtime family friend, officiating. Arrangements by the JOHNSON-MELICK-MORELAND FUNERAL HOME, Centerburg, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Knox County, 17700 Coshocton Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050 or Lock Federated Church, c/o First Knox National Bank, Drawer F, Centerburg, Ohio 43011.