Florence Marie Rhoads

Florence Marie Rhoads, age 86 of Comins, passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2017, at her home in Village Woods, Crete, Illinois.
Florence was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 9, 1930 to Manny and Ethel Jostock. She moved with her family to Comins, Michigan in 1945 at the age of 15. She married Wm. Harold Rhoads on July 3rd, 1948. Living in Comins, she and Harold owned and operated the Comins Hardware. The business later became Rhoads T.V. and Appliance when they built a new store and home between Fairview and Mio in 1965. The business was sold in 1983. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Chicago as urban missionaries. Florence managed a church food pantry and assisted the homeless while Harold drove a church school bus and repaired a homeless shelter among many other tasks.
The couple returned to Comins in 1986. Having taken Floral classes in Chicago, Florence went to work for Genevieves Flowers and later, worked with her sister JoAnn when JoAnn purchased the business. In 1989, Harold was suddenly incapacitated due to Giulian-Barre Syndrome which left him severely handicapped. Though suffering from severe back ailments, Florence lovingly cared for him for 19 years. During this time, they moved into the Ausable Valley Apartments in Fairview where Florence worked as the Resident Manager.
Throughout her life, Florence was an active and committed member of Comins Mennonite Church in various ministries such as a Sunday School Teacher for children and adults, various women's groups and as a lay leader. Through her involvement in church and business she was able to reach out to many individuals in need in the larger community with love and care.
Surviving are her children, Ronald (Charo) of Margate, Florida; Terry (Diane) of Mio, Michigan; Randy (Debbie) of Williamsburg, Michigan; Brent (Kelly) of Midland, Michigan; Diane (Dennis) of Chicago, Illinois; her sisters Marylou Campbell and JoAnn Reeves of Ft. Meade, Florida; 12 Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Wm. Harold Rhoads, her parents and 2 brothers, Bud and Ed Jostock.
Visitation and funeral services to be held at Comins Community Church, Comins, Michigan on May 5, 2017. The church will be open for visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Celebration Service begins at 11:00 a.m. Internment at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Disaster Services. https://mds.mennonite.net/donate/donate-form/ OR 583 Airport Road, Lititz, PA. 17543

Refer to Lashley Funeral Home of Mio, Michigan for further details.