Norman Rex Rhoades, 88, of Vandalia, formerly of Ramsey, died Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, surrounded by family at SBL Fayette County Hospital LTC in Vandalia.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, as well as from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, also at the church. Funeral services will follow visitation at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, with the Rev. Curtis Flake officiating. Burial will be in the Ramsey Cemetery. Miller Funeral Home in Vandalia is assisting the family.
Mr. Rhoades was born at home on Aug. 13, 1935, in rural Ramsey, the son of Alvia V. and Hettie O. (Blythe) Rhoades. He married Mary Ann Vandeveer on August 13, 1961, in Kinmundy, and she survives.
A farmer, he worked as the high school band director in Lovington, Kinmundy and Nokomis for several years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ramsey and later Vandalia. In addition, he held memberships with Gideons International, Illinois Music Educators Association, Illinois Educators Association, Board of Directors of Lincoln Farm Bureau Farm Management and board of directors of Pana Community Hospital and Foundation and was a past membership with Rotary International.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Rhoades of Vandalia; his children, sons Kevin (Janette) Rhoades of St. Charles, MO and Kelly (Tamra) Rhoades of St. Louis, MO and daughter Kathyrn (Paul) Taylor of Fillmore; sister Mabelene Virden of Vandalia; grandchildren, Afthan, Meghan, Taylor, Abigail, Scott, Matthew, Grant and Claudia and great grandchildren Emmet, Lucas, Jackson, Rayland, Daniel and Samuel.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Norman Virden.
Memorials may be made to Pana Community Hospital Foundation Fund, Gideons International or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.
Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.
