Raymond Rhodes

Raymond Ray Rhodes, 92, of the Iowa Veterans Home, died early Saturday morning, April 6, 2013.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2013, at LeGrand Friends Church in LeGrand, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family to be designated at a later date. For condolences or questions please visit; www.mitchellfh.com. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Raymond and his family. Phone 641-844-1234Born Raymond Warren Rhodes on February 9th, 1921, (he was the 8th of 9 children) in LeGrand, Iowa, he was the son of John Harris and Sophia Benetta (Hansen) Rhodes. He graduated from the LeGrand High Schools Class of 1938.Ray served our country honorably in the United States Army from August of 1942 to 1945. He received basic training at Camp Walters, Texas, where he was assigned to the 36th Infantry Division. He was transported overseas on April1, 1943, landing in Oran, North Africa. He served in North Africa, Italy, France, Germany and Austria. He was actively involved in five battle campaigns and two invasions. Ray was responsible for communications- surveying and setting up communication lines during battle. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his bravery and valiancy. When the men finally reached Germany, and were relieved of combat duty, his unit had marked a milestone, they had been in combat for a record 133 days. He was able to come home in October of 1945. He always said, after what he saw in WWII, everyday was a gift. On the day following Valentines Day of 1943, he married his sweetheart, Betty Long, in Lancaster, Missouri. The couple made their home in LeGrand all of their married lives. Ray was employed from 1946 until retiring in 1983 at Marshall Farm Services. He was an active community member in LeGrand, being a charter member of the LeGrand Volunteer Fire Department, City Council, a 12 year member of the school board, Farm Bureau and the Grinnell American Legion. He was also a member of the 36th Division Association. Raymond was very active in the LeGrand Freinds Church and had taught Sunday School for many years.Many will remember Ray for his love of hunting and fishing, training horses, listening to all kinds of music and his family- especially the grandchildren!Left to cherish his memory are his children: Jane (Terry) Beare of New Providence and Randy (Nancy) Rhodes of Marshalltown; four grandchildren- Todd (Jennie) Beare of Marshalltown, Jennifer (Jesse) Collins of Clear Lake, Melissa Rhodes of Melbourne and John Rhodes of Marshalltown; three precious great-grandchildren- Kaitlyn, Tyler and Jordan; his brother Oscar Ott (Rita) Rhodes of LeGrand as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and his IVH family.In death, he rejoined his beloved Betty who died in 1980, four brothers and three sisters.