Rhodes, Amos William (1873-1967)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1967 Nov 16 p. 12

Birth date: 1873 Nov 23

text of obituary:

Amos William Rhodes

Amos William Rhodes, son of Solomon E. and Susanne (Heatwole) Rhodes, was born at Harrisonburg, Va. on Nov. 23, 1873. He died in the La Junta (Colo.) Mennonite Hospital on Oct. 19, aged 93 years, 10 months and 26 days.

On Feb. 14, 1901 he married Anna Rebecca Brunk of Elida, Ohio. He farmed near Elida for two years after his marriage, after which he and his wife moved to La Junta, arriving on March 7, 1903. In 1906 he purchased a farm in the Fairmount District west of La Junta. In 1948 Bro. Rhodes and wife retired and moved to La Junta. After the death of Sister Rhodes in 1957, this home was sold in 1958 and Bro. Rhodes moved again to the farm where he resided until July of 1966, at which time he became a resident of the Mennonite Nursing Home.

On Oct. 3, 1967 Bro. Rhodes became quite ill and was transferred from the Nursing Home to the La Junta Mennonite Hospital. He is survived by four sons, Marvin and John of La Junta, Vernon of Pueblo, and Paul of Colorado Springs. A daughter preceded him in death in 1932. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Anne Brunk and Ellen Rhodes of Harrisonburg, Va.; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was a charter member of the First Mennonite Church of La Junta, and through the years he was a devout member of his church and a firm believer in practicing the Golden Rule. He was ordained as deacon of the First Mennonite Curch [sic] in 1925, and served 31 years in this capacity. He held many responsible positions in the church as a mission board member and filled the offices of church secretary and church treasurer. He also served as a board member of the La Junta Mennonite Hospital for several years.

It is said that "Selfless living reaps a harvest in old age, both in love and in the beautiful lives of those who have lived for Christ." This truly reflects the daily Christian life of Bro. Rhodes.

Funeral services were in charge of Rev. Allen Erb, Hesston, Kan., who was assisted by Rev. E. E. Showalter and Rev. Menno Troyer, both of La Junta, Colo. Interment was in the Fairview Cemetery, La Junta.