Obituary for Jon Rhode
Jon Rhode Mapleton, Iowa - Jontemps "Jon" Rhode, 59, of Mapleton, Iowa passed away Friday, March 15, 2013, at his home in Mapleton following a lengthy illness. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's United Methodist Church in Mapleton with Pastor Brian McNamara officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Armstrong Funeral Home of Mapleton is in charge of the arrangements. On line condolences may be directed to the family at www.armstrongfuneral.com. Jontemps Rhode was born February 22, 1954, at Atlantic, Iowa, the son of Lewis Henry and Esther Noel (Helder) Rhode. He grew up in Rock Valley, IA and graduated from Rock Valley High School with the class of 1972. After high school, Jon worked in the construction industry. On August 6, 1976, Jon was united in marriage to Nelinda Jane Van Beek at Rock Valley. In 1978, Jon furthered his education by attending Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa, graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Arts with a minor in Special Education. He began his career by working at SESDAC Inc., a disabled adults workshop in Vermillion, SD. From there he continued similar work employed at Mid Step Industries in Sioux City. The growing family moved to Mapleton, Iowa where Nelinda worked as a nurse practioner. Jon continued to work at Mid Step later going part time and eventually retiring after 22 years of devotion to his career. Jon was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Mapleton. Over the years, along with the birth of their own children, Jon and Nelinda opened their home and hearts to over 30 foster children, five of whom they adopted. He was lovingly referred to as "Papa Jon". Loving corvettes and owning a 1992 model led Jon to become a member of a Corvette Club. He also took great pride in being a member of Sioux City Police Department Citizens Academy where he found great joy and loved participating. Those survivors left to cherish their memories of Jon include Nelinda, his wife of 36 years; one son and his wife, Jared and Joann Rhode of Danbury, IA; seven daughters, Neliesha Daws and her her husband, Tony of Sioux Fall, SD, Janessa Rhode of Omaha, NE, Kyra Rhode, Nicole Heinemann and her husband, Steve, and Jillian Gunn and her husband, Richard, all of Sioux City, IA, and Jaicey Rhode and Alexandria Rhode, both of Mapleton, IA; four grandchildren, Neliea and Gage Daws, Kyran Hernandaz, and Autum Gunn; two brothers and their wives, David and Diane Rhode of Omaha, NE and Richard and Donna Rhode of California; and his step mother, Ellen Rhode of Rapid City, SD; along with many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Rhonda Ghea.
Service:
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 11:00 a.m.
St. John's United Methodist Church 212 South 7th Street Mapleton, IA 51034
Visitation:
Tuesday, March 15, 2013 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
St. John's United Methodist Church 212 South 7th Street Mapleton, Iowa
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Service:
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 11:00 a.m.
St. John's United Methodist Church 212 South 7th Street Mapleton, IA 51034
Visitation:
Tuesday, March 15, 2013 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
St. John's United Methodist Church 212 South 7th Street Mapleton, Iowa
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