Rhodes

Clara Lou Rhodes, 88, formerly of Beaver Falls and a resident of the Wesbury United Methodist Community, Meadville, since 2001, died there Friday following a period of declining health.

She was born Aug. 22, 1923 in Emlenton, a daughter of Lawrence and Olive O. Shannon Gates. She married Raymond Rhodes Sept. 15, 1951 and he preceded her in death in 1998.

During World War II, she worked as executive secretary at the Army Hospital in Butler, which now is VA Butler Healthcare. She then assisted her husband, who was a self-employed builder in Grove City, in various capacities, including bookkeeping.

In 1960, she and her husband and family moved to Beaver Falls and she worked as a secretary at Geneva College for 20 years, retiring in 1982.

She was a 1941 graduate of Emlenton High School and a 1943 graduate of Butler Business College. She enjoyed traveling, playing the piano and organ and especially spending time with her family.

Survivors include three children, Stephen C. Rhodes and his wife, Margaret, of Aurora, Ill., Roberta Lynn Manley and her husband, John, of West Chester, and Richard L. Rhodes and his wife, Vicki, of Mogadore, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Rachel Rhodes, Julia Rhodes, Seth Rhodes, Sarah Manley, Michael Manley, Bryan Manley, Timothy Rhodes and Erin Rhodes; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Maurice Gates and Eugene Gates.

<B>RHODES</B> — Calling hours for Clara Lou Rhodes, who died Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday in the lounge of McCracken Chapel, Cribbs Home, Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. in the chapel with the Rev. Ellen Rezek, chaplain, officiating. Interment will be in Emlenton Cemetery, Emlenton, PA.The family suggests memorials be made to the Wesbury Foundation, 31 N. Park Avenue, Meadville, PA 16335.Arrangements are under the direction of the <B>Robert W. Waid Funeral Home</B>, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.