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Robert J. Rhoades

FUNERAL HOME

Conkle Funeral Home, Speedway Chapel - Speedway

4925 West 16th. Street

Speedway, Indiana

Robert Rhoades Obituary

Name: Visitation for Robert J. Rhoades
Start: 2021-02-01T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-02-01T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Conkle Funeral Home, Speedway Chapel - Speedway

Robert J. Rhoades

Indianapolis IN - Robert J. Rhoades, 100, passed away January 26, 2021. He was an Accountant for Eli Lilly & Co. for 38 years, retiring in 1984. He was a WWII Veteran of the Army Air Force. Robert was a member of the Speedway Masonic Lodge and the Speedway Lions Club. He was a Past Elder for the Speedway Christian Church and President when he served on the Speedway School Board. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Westby Rhoades. He is survived by his children, Robert (Gail) Rhoades and Marilyn (John) Pogue; 2 grandchildren, Allison (David) Casey, Jeffrey (Katie) Pogue and 4 great grandchildren. Services are 11am Monday February 1, 2021 at Conkle Funeral Home Speedway with Visitation 10am-11am before the Service. Burial will be in Washington Park North Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Speedway Christian Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.conklefuneralhome.com.

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Published by The Indianapolis Star from Jan. 28 to Jan. 31, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Rhoades

14 Entries

Pat Devine

June 1, 2024

Bob such a great man to work for and very helpful. I do remember him being so proud he was of his family. I am so sorry I was not aware of his passing until now.

Paddy and Eileen Keeley

February 15, 2021

Deepest sympathy to the Rhoades family ( members of the Casey family , David and Allison) .Dad , Granddad and great Granddad Robert must have had a wonderful life reaching 100 years. So sorry for your great loss May Robert R I P

Jim Hittle

February 2, 2021

So sorry to hear of the passing of Bob Rhoades. Our family lived across 29th Place from Bob and Jean for many years. They were very nice neighbors. Bob was a handyman type, and he helped me install an air conditioner. I have a picture of Rhoades, Shackelfords (neighbors), and Hittles standing in front of a Wrigley Field Chicago Cubs Baseball sign after we had attended the game. Bob was a fighter plane pilot stationed in Alaska in WW2. He never talked much about it. It was my privilege to present him with his 50 Year pin in Speedway Masonic Lodge. He lived a full life.

Marilyn Shank

January 31, 2021

To Rodge's family....

I chaired the vision committee for Speedway Christian Church in 2011. We were interested in getting the perspectives of church members in all age groups. Several people said, "you must talk to Rodge." I knew him well enough at the time to say "Hi" and shake his hand whenever we passed the peace in services, but I'd never had an in-depth conversation with him. But when so many people tell recommend talking to the same person, you pay attention. We had an excellent conversation. He was so open to sharing his thoughts and feelings and he was practical and down to earth. It was obvious he was devoted to the church and he took his life as a Christian seriously. No wonder so many people told me "you must talk to Rodge." People looked up to him and valued his opinions. And his participation in helping us create the church vision meant he cared about the church's future. Amazingly, I still have my notes! Here's what I recorded:

"The Vision Steering Committee spent one very pleasant evening revisiting the history of the church, with Alice Blind pulling out history books from our archives and Rodge Rhoades contributing his knowledge. Speedway Christian Church was once one of only two churches in Speedway, and there was a time when any project that hoped to be successful in the town needed the “blessing” of the leaders of Speedway Christian Church. The church had dances for its many young members. And many of teachers from the school across the street (which was once Speedway High School) also taught Sunday School at Speedway Christian Church. The church created the publication that became the Speedway Northwest Press.

"We highly encourage future committees return to our roots to see where we’ve been when you plan where we’re going!"

It wasn't until this morning's worship service that I heard the story about him playing basketball for Beech Grove High School and how that led him to become a Speedway fan and resident. I am grateful for his long and exemplary life, and we will miss him. You have my deepest sympathy.

Pam and Bill SCHMALZ

January 31, 2021

Bob and Marilyn
Love and sympathy to you and your families. Uncle Rodge was a wonderful man. I believe there is a great reunion in heaven this week.
Sincerely, Pam and Bill Schmalz

Pam and Bill Schmalz

January 31, 2021

Bob and Marilyn
All of our love and sympathy to you and your families. Uncle Rodge was a wonderful man. I believe there is a great reunion in heaven this week. Sincerely, Pam and Schmalz

Dave Driscoll

January 31, 2021

Our sympathies and prayers to Bob and Marilyn and their families. Dave and Marty Driscoll

Gene Johnson

January 29, 2021

I worked with Bob for several years at Eli Lilly and Company. He was a wonderful gentleman and a pleasure to work with— his passing comes at the end of a life lived.

Phyllis Shutters

January 29, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss. I was Bob’s secretary at Eli Lilly for several years. He was a great friend. We kept in touch at Christmas. I had the pleasure of knowing Jean too. Wow, 100 years.

Joan Hietberg-Harris

January 29, 2021

I'm so sorry for your loss. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoades were so good to my family,the Hietbergs. I remember how nice they were to me as a young girl. Your family truly were a blessing to mine and I thank you.

Denny & Barb Hammer

January 29, 2021

Marilyn and Bob - Very sorry to hear about your Dad passing. I have missed seeing him in church on Sundays this past year or so. He was always so friendly and would wave or say hi when we saw each other. Keep his memory alive in your heart and he will be with you forever.

Marcia Shackelford DeZonia

January 29, 2021

Mr and Mrs Rhodes were such wonderful neighbors for my parents for 40+years. Bob helped my mom with yard work after Dad died They were always so interested in our lives and what we were doing Mr Rhodes was a kind, thoughtful, generous man A life well lived

Nelson Nave and Patricia Hirsch

January 29, 2021

Best wishes to Marilyn and Bob and their families.

Rita Rogers

January 29, 2021

So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I worked with him at Lilly in Property and Equipment Accounting and he was so nice and helpful and gave me great training. Condolences to your family on such a great loss.

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