Lester I. "Les" Rhodes, 91, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2008.
A life resident of the Akron area, he was born to Anna and John Rhodes in Kenmore in 1917. Retired from Bernard Company in 1982 where he had worked for 34 years as a cost manager, prior to that he worked ten years for Columbia Chemical Company. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving the Signal Corps and participated in seven campaigns in Africa and Europe, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He was an active member of Columbia United Church of Christ, a long time donor in the Red Cross Blood Program and a volunteer at Barberton Citizens Hospital since 1985. Les was member and past Master of Barberton Lodge #750 F&AM where he also served as secretary for 16 years and was proud to have been accorded the title Secretary Emeritus and receive his 50-year pin in 2007. He also belonged to Portage Chapter 202 RAM and Anna Dean Chapter #595 OES, Tadmor Temple, American Legion #449 and Barberton Kiwanis Club.
Preceded in death by Ethel, his beloved wife of 52 years; son, Kenneth; three brothers and five sisters; survived by daughters, Roseanne (Jeff) Prosser of Akron, Deborah Reeder of Arkansas; sister, Alice (Charles) DeMoss of Albuquerque, New Mexico; stepbrother, Loren Jackson of Barberton; one granddaughter; two grandsons; two step-granddaughters; nieces and nephews, David (Debbie) Wilkinson, Danny Wilkinson, Donna (Ken) Cutright.
The family would like to thank the staff and friends at Pleasant View Health Care Center, and also the staff at Hospice Care Center, especially the volunteer, Jill.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday 2 p.m. at the Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Avenue, Barberton 44203 with Rev. Clifford Schlauch officiating. Burial will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park with military honors conducted by the American Legion #449. Visitation Monday 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. with Eastern Star service at 6:30 p.m. and Masonic service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the funeral home.
Published in the Akron Beacon Journal
