Obituary of "Rocky" Rhoads

Raymond Francis "Rocky" Rhoads, 95 of Carlinville, passed away Saturday evening, February 15, 2020, at Carlinville Rehab and Health Care in Carlinville, IL. Raymond was born March 4, 1924, in Springfield, IL, a son of James Gerald and Pearl Irene Ruyle Rhoads. Rocky graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1940. He also attended Shurtleff College in Alton, IL and Morehead State College in Minnesota. Rocky, at the age of 18, married the former Betty J. Coatney at the age of 16, on October 10, 1942 in St. Charles, MO. They have been married for 77 years. Rocky joined the United States Air Force during World War II and was qualified to work on all aircraft in the USAF fleet. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Larry Ray Rhoads, brothers; Charles, Earl, Larry and James Rhoads and sister Lenora Ambrose. Rocky farmed in Greene County for 17 years. He and Betty later opened "Rocky's Hardware" on the east side of the Carlinville square in 1968 and served the surrounding communities for 21 years. He served as the City Treasurer for 32 years, retiring in 2009. He was a 50 plus year member of the Carlinville and Plainview Masonic Lodge, Plainview Star Chapter #665 and Ansar Temple Shriners in Springfield, IL. Rocky was a member of Charity Baptist Church where he had served as a Decon and was with the Gideon Bible Program since 1982. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville, IL. Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:30 am, Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Charity Baptist Church, Carlinville with Rev. Justin Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow in Charity Cemetery, Carlinville. Raymond is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Rhoads of Carlinville, IL, daughter, Rayma Jean (Jim) Perkins of AR, daughter, Terry Lynn (Rodney) Barnard of Chesterfield, IL, daughter, Martha Sue "Marty" (Alex) Fones of Carlinville, IL, son, Adrian L. ((companion; Mary Thebeau)) Rhoads of Greenville, IL, 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, brother, Walter (Ingrid) Rhoads of AZ and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Gideon Bible Program Charity Baptist Church.