James R. Rhoads

James R. Rhoads Sr., 85, of Latrobe passed away Thursday, July 4, 2013, at home. Born April 9, 1928, in Oil City, he was a son of the late William C. and Mary Agnes (Fink) Rhoads. Prior to retirement, he was a shipper for Crown Creative Industries. He attended Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Latrobe. He was a Korean War era veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Edith Virginia Austin Rhoads, in 1960; his second wife, the Rev. Marion L. Moore-Rhoads, in 2003; three siblings, William C. Rhoads Jr., Gerald Rhoads and Marie Oleksak; an infant sister, Evelyn, and an infant brother, Earl. He is survived by seven children, James Rhoads Jr. (Helen), Robert M. Rhoads, Randall Rhoads (Joann), Christopher Rhoads (Patricia), Richard Rhoads, Sandra Errett and Patricia Severa (Ted); eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four siblings, George Rhoads, Ann Radmore, Blanch Kunz and Dorothy Andrako; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ruth Dickson, William Dickson (Edna), John R. Dickson (Doris), Charles Dickson, Vaughn Dickson (Celia), Jim Dickson (Sandy), Donald Dickson (Janet) and Betty Miller; many nieces and nephews, as well as two loyal companions, Molly and Spencer. Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 8, in Frederick Funeral Home Inc., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, in the funeral home. Burial will be in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township. The combined funeral detail of local American Legion and VFW members will provide military honors 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. The family wishes to thank the staff of Excela Hospice for all their wonderful care and support.