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Rev. Dr. Rhoads Obituary

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Rev. Dr. Rhoads

Shillington, PA

June 7, 1930 - March 11, 2023

Rev. Dr. Rhoads Obituary

Rev. Dr. Robert I. Rhoads, Sr., 92, passed away March 11th at the Highlands at Wyomissing where he was a resident for the past 2 years.

Born in the Immanuel church parsonage in Shillington, June 7, 1930. He was the son of the late Rev. Thomas W. and Ruth A. (Irwin) Rhoads. He was the husband of Lois C. (Gromis) Rhoads. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in August. Reverend Rhoads grew up in Shillington and raised his family in the Mifflin Park home where they lived for nearly 60 years.

Reverend Rhoads was a 1948 graduate of the former Shillington High School, Franklin and Marshall College in 1952, Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1955, Master of Theology from Princeton Seminary in 1959, and a Doctor of Ministry from Lancaster Seminary in 1979. His ministry was a response to his calling and living a life of compassion. He had a natural ability to meet and connect with people proving it’s a small world in which we are all connected.

Following seminary, he served two years as a commissioned officer and U.S. Army chaplain, stationed in Orleans, France, followed by three years as pastor at Woodcrest UCC, Philadelphia, before coming to Immanuel to serve as associate pastor to his father the late Rev. Thomas W. Rhoads before becoming senior pastor in 1969 and retiring and becoming pastor emeritus in 1996. During his 35 years at Immanuel, he conducted 830 baptisms, 680 weddings and 1,110 funerals.

Reverend Rhoads served on numerous boards and committees including those of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the UCC, Bethany Children’s Home, Phoebe Berks Village, Family Guidance Center, Greater Reading Council of Churches, YMCA Community Extension, United Way Clergy, and Governor Mifflin Ministerial Council. In retirement, he enjoyed being a guest reader to the Cumru Elementary School pre-first class where he was known as “Pa.”

In addition to his wife Lois, he is survived by his three children – Thomas W. husband of Pam Rhoads, Downingtown, Christine E. wife of Bret Hatt, Spring Township, and Robert I., Jr. husband of Donna Rhoads, Cumru Township, and grandchildren – Thomas, Tracy, Peter, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Abigail and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Schaebler and was predeceased by his sister Elizabeth Ann Roberts.

Services will be held at Immanuel UCC, 99 S. Waverly St., Shillington, PA 19607 on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Visitation from 10:00 – 11:25 AM. Reverend Rhoads’ Celebration of Life service will begin PROMPTLY at 11:30 AM and can be viewed on Immanuel’s YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/live/mM0OHBmoQH8?feature=share The Rev. Dr. Alfred K. Schwerdt and the Rev. Megan Huesgen will officiate. Interment in Fairview Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Rhoads Memorial Fund at Immanuel UCC or Bethany Children’s Home, P. O. Box 93, Womelsdorf, PA 19567. The Klee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Shillington, is assisting the Rhoads family. www.kleefuneralhome.com



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