Keith V. Rhoades

Keith V. Rhoades of Andover, Ohio, passed away on February 24, 2015, at Kindred Hospital in Tampa, Florida. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, and after a courageous battle with cancer and its complications, he has returned home to the Lord. He was born on February 2, 1941, in Ashtabula, Ohio, to Kenneth and Blanche (Giddings) Rhoades. He was employed as a machinist at General Electric and Parker Hannifin, from which he retired in 2000. He also served in the United States Navy from 1958 to1963 where he was stationed on the Aircraft Carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He married Donna Jean Slusher in June of 1964 and last year they were blessed to celebrate fifty years of marriage. Keith was a dedicated father who taught his children the qualities of hard work, strong values and “doing it yourself”. He had a love for Pymatuning Valley School sports and was often found in the stands encouraging and cheering on his sons and grandchildren. He enjoyed coaching his sons in sports as they grew up, bowling, gardening, snowmobiling, working around the house and babysitting his grandkids. After retirement, he and Donna spent most of their time at the local campground where Keith could be found sitting around a campfire with old and new friends, teasing one another. He is survived by his wife, Donna (Slusher), three sons, Troy (Christine) of Canfield, Ohio, Todd (Lisa) and Tim (Traci), both of Andover, and grandchildren Zac (Cassie), Taylor, Kaycee, Tanner, Brodie, Hunter and Haley Rhoades. He is also survived by a sister Judy Penn, in-laws Willie (Dee) Slusher, Thelma (Robert) Drnek, Glenn (Eileen) Slusher and Neal (Val) Slusher, several cousins, nieces and nephews and all of his “Campground Friends”. He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother in law Alfred and Opal Slusher, siblings Richard Rhoades and Louise Kiser and niece Denise Kiser. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at the United Methodist Church, 181 S. Main St., Andover, Ohio at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pymatuning Valley High School Football or Girls Basketball, c/o Mel Nowakowski, Athletic Director, Pymatuning Valley High School, P.O. Box 1180 Andover, Ohio 44003, or your favorite charity in Keith’s memory. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jawad Francis of St. Joseph Hospital in Warren, Dr. David Mason, formerly of the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Andy Tirounilacandin and all of the health care professionals, relatives and friends who cared for and supported Keith over the past two years.

Service Information

Service

Saturday, May 30 2015
11:00 AM

First United Methodist Church of Andover
181 S. Main St.
Andover OH 44003