Oscar Rhodes

Oscar Ott Rhodes, 89, of LeGrand, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at the Iowa River Hospice Home with his family by his side. Funeral Services for Ott will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at the LeGrand Friends Church in LeGrand, Iowa, with Pastor Allen Mullikin officiating. Public visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2013, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Full Military Honors will be presented by Harry C. Harter Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #839 and American Legion Frank Lewis Glick Post #46. For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641)844-1234. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed in Oscars name to his family. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Oscar and his family. Oscar Willard Rhodes was born in rural Tama County on February 4, 1924, the son of John Harris and Sophia Benetta (Hansen) Rhodes. He graduated from the LeGrand High Schools Class of 1941 and The Cedar Rapids Barber College in 1950. Ott served his country honorably in the United States Army Airforce from December 1942 until his honorable discharge in January 1946. Mr. Rhodes was a Staff Sergeant during World War II in the Pacific Theater where he was a top turret gunner in a B-25 H Mitchell Medium Bomber.On July 4, 1948 Ott was united in marriage to Rita Maureen (Oliphant) at the Presbyterian Church in Newhall, Iowa. He had been employed as a Barber from 1951 until 1998 and was also a Marshall County Conservation employee. Ott was a charter member of the LeGrand Fire Department and served as Fire Chief for 9 years, President of the Marshall County Wildlife Club, Marshall County Conservation Board member, Senior Citizens Club member, Senior Card Club and the Montour Semi-pro Baseball League. He could never pass up a good day of fishing, hunting and trapping or a game of baseball. Ott enjoyed the Chicago Cubs, singing at LeGrand Friends Church and treasured his family.Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 64 years, Rita of LeGrand, his children: Craig (Donna) Rhodes of Ferguson, Deanna (Mike) Berkey of LeGrand, Amy (Bob) Stahlin of Marshalltown, and Andy Rhodes of LeGrand; Grandchildren: Clint Rhodes, Jason (Suzie)Berkey, Jennifer (Trent) Walkup, Brian Berkey, Tyler(Josie) Stahlin, Zach Stahlin, Leah Stahlin, and Ashley (Justin) Bringman; Great-grandchildren: Annie Wilson, Caitlyn Berkey, Carter Berkey, Sam Bachman, Gavin Walkup, Max Walkup and Ava Bringman, as well as many nieces, nephews, close family friend Diane Rhodes and many friends.In death, Ott rejoined his son Jeffrey who died in 1975 at age 20, his mother and father and five brothers and three sisters: Walter Rhodes, Homer Rhodes, Isabelle Sedrel, Beatrice Nolte, John Rhodes, Jr., Luther Rhodes, Ethel Turbett, and Raymond Rhodes.