In Memory
John Walter Rhodes, Jr.
July 8 1939 - May 17, 2021
John W. Rhodes, Jr., 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 8:00 pm in his home at Lake of the Woods in Bremen, surrounded by his family. John was born to John and Aletha (Bessler) Rhodes on July 8, 1939 in South Bend, IN. He graduated from Riley High School in 1957 and from Purdue University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.
He enlisted in the Army in 1964, serving his active-duty time at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. It was his time there that sparked a life-long love of San Antonio and the River Walk. He then served in the Army Reserves as a Medical Corpsman until 1969.
He met his wife Mary as he started his first pharmacist job at Broadway Pharmacy in South Bend, where she also worked. They were married on December 26, 1966 and honeymooned in Los Angeles where they attended the Tournament of Roses Parade and watched Purdue win the Rose Bowl. After living several years in South Bend, in 1973 he moved his young family to Bremen, IN where he became the pharmacist and store manager when Hook’s Drugstore opened. In 1988 they moved from town to Lake of the Woods.
He was a member of the Order of DeMolay in his youth, and later a member of the Freemasons, Shriners, and Scottish Rite. He attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for much of his life, serving as youth director and on the church council for several years. He was a lifetime member of the Purdue Alumni Association.
He worked at several pharmacies throughout his career and retired in 2004 from CVS in Plymouth, IN. He was an avid animal lover and had many beloved pets throughout his life. He enjoyed watching the Chicago Blackhawks play, and he and Mary celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a weekend in Chicago attending a game with their children and grandchildren. He loved boating and considered himself blessed to live on the lake surrounded by wonderful neighbors and friends. He always said he wanted to die at the lake, and being a man of his word, he did it his way.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary (Kepes) Rhodes; two daughters, Beth Bogunia of South Bend, IN and Becky (Doug) James of Montz, LA; two grandsons, Clayton James and Bryant Bogunia; sister Mary (Fred) Brothers; nephews Larry (Kim) Brothers and Terry (Melissa) Brothers. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved granddaughter, Sarah James.
Visitation will be June 3, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Mishler Funeral Home, 2030 SR-331 in Bremen, IN. Funeral will be held June 4, 2021 at 11:00 am at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 225 Haney St, South Bend, IN with burial to follow in Bremen Cemetery at 2:00 pm. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Center for Hospice Care for the wonderful care provided. Memorial contributions may be made to Center for Hospice Care at 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or Pet Refuge at 4626 S Burnett Dr., South Bend, IN 46614.
05.30.2021 djb
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