Ira Rhoades

Hastings resident, Ira M. Rhoades, 65, of 2518 W. 10th, died Tuesday, January 27, 2004 at his home after a long bout with cancer.

Memorial services will be Saturday, January 31, 2004; 11:00 A.M. at Grace United Methodist Church, Hastings, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. Lee Wigert officiating. Private family burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska.

Mr. Rhoades was born June 27, 1938 in Los Angeles, California to Claude & Elsie (Drees) Rhoades and lived in San Mateo, California. His family moved to Holdrege, Nebraska shortly after WWII where he graduated from Holdrege High School. On September 22, 1957, he married Rochelle Myers. Ira worked for nine years at The Man's Shop in Holdrege. They moved to Hastings in 1966. He worked for Ben Sherman's until he and his family opened Rhoades Men's Wear in 1975. He owned and operated the store for 27 years until his retirement in 2001. Ira was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and was active in the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, Mid-West Lodge 317 A.F. & A.M., York Rite, Jesters, Tehama Shrine, Hastings Downtown Center Association and a past member of the Elks & Eagles Club. Ira took great pride in, and truly enjoyed the many people who touched his life through his clothing business. After his retirement, he always said "he didn't miss the business, but he missed the people." His greatest legacies were his 5 grandchildren and an added blessing were his step grandchildren.

Mr. Rhoades was preceded in death by his father.

Survivors include,
Wife of 46 years: Rochelle Rhoades - Hastings, NE
Son & Daughter-in-law: Dan & Deb Rhoades - Marion, IA
Daughters & Sons-in-law: Shelley Rhoades-Catanach & Tony Catanach - West Chester, PA
Lisa & Ron Bush - Hastings, NE
5 Grandchildren: Haley Bush
Mallory Bush
Taylor Bush
Kari Rhoades
Megan Rhoades
Step Grandchildren: Tom Catanach
Angela Catanach
Mother: Elsie Rhoades - Las Vegas, NV
Sisters & Brother-in-law: Susan & Michael Sinicropi - Las Vegas, NV
Sharon Brown - Arlington, VA
Brother & Sister-in-law: Kenneth & Joann Rhoades - Homestead, FL
Brother-in-law: Roger Myers - Hastings, NE
He will be missed by his nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives. We love you Papa.

Memorial may be given to Oncology Unit at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital

Book Signing
Thur.1-29-04; 9am-5pm
Fri. 1-30-04; 9am-5pm
Sat. 1-31-04; 1 hr. prior to service at the church