Paul Steele Rhodes, 82, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011 in Huntingtown, Maryland where he resided with his daughter and son-in-law Sharon (Rhodes) and Lawrence W. Kavanagh and grandsons Joseph Paul Kavanagh and Andrew Lawrence Kavanagh.
Born Oct. 27, 1928 in Brookville, PA to the late R. Leroy and Frances (Steele) Rhodes, he was preceded in death by his first wife Lorraine (Hetrick) Rhodes and his second wife Betty (Finnefrock) (Newell) Rhodes.
In addition to his spouses, he was preceded in death by his brother Robert K. Rhodes, H. Dean Rhodes and H. Lynn Rhodes.
Along with his daughter and family, he is survived by his sister, Bernice (Rhodes) Miller, step-daughter, Kimberly (Newell) Maxwell and her husband, Brett, three step-grandchildren, Brooke Ashton Maxwell, Evan Thomas Maxwell and Tiffany Lane Maxwell. Other survivors include a sister-in-law, Janet (Hetrick) Kells, a brother-in-law, Robert and his wife Louise Finnefrock, Calvin and Jane Miller; nephews, James A. Rhodes and wife Nancy, Kenneth (Kenny) D. Rhodes, Terry L. Rhodes and David E. Kells; nieces, Kristen L. Rhodes and Pamela S. (Rhodes) Herbert and husband Chuck.
Mr. Rhodes was ordained a deacon in 1970 in the First United Presbyterian Church in Clearfield, PA and is a current member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarion, PA. Other memberships included Clarion Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Coudersport Consistory and Zem Zem Shrine, Erie, PA. Mr. Rhodes proudly served his country as a cryptographer in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952. Despite relocating to Maryland in 2007 he remained a Penn State, Pirates and Steeler fan.
Visitation will take place on Feb. 6, from 1-4 p.m. at Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc., 312 E. Locust Street, Clearfield, PA. On Feb. 7, visitation will take place from 9:00-9:45 a.m. with funeral service at 10:00 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church, 600 Wood Street, Clarion, PA. The Reverend Dr. Deryl K. Larson will be officiating. The Clarion Lodge No. 277 of Free and Accepted Masons will conduct a service prior to the funeral service. Interment will follow at Crown Crest Memorial Park, Hyde, PA. A funeral luncheon is planned at the Clearfield Elks on Feb. 7.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, c/o Zem Zem Shrine, 2525 West 38th Street, Erie, PA, 16506; or Clarion Lodge No. 277, P.O. Box 20, Clarion, PA 16214.
To send an online tribute, go to www.bennettandhouser.com.