Harold Rhoads

William Harold Rhoads, age 86 of Comins, passed away Wednesday, January 12, 2011, at The Home at AuSable Valley Community in Fairview, following a 21 year battle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Harold was born on August 10, 1924 in Coline, Michigan to William Russel and Alta Mary (Hartzler) Rhoads. He grew up in Comins, where he and his father built a hardware store in 1945 which he owned from 1946-1965.  He married Florence Marie Jostock on July 3, 1948 in Comins.  The couple later built, owned and operated Rhoads TV and Appliance Store, between Mio and Fairview, from 1965-1983.  They moved to Chicago in 1984 where they worked as missionaries, managed a food pantry and Harold drove a Christian school bus. The couple returned to Comins in 1988. Harold was a member of the Comins Mennonite Church.  He also was a member of the Mio Lions Club, the Gideon Association, and had served as an Oscoda County Commissioner. He also served as Chaplin for The Community Caring Campus, and continued leading morning prayers at the nursing home up until this past week.
Surviving are his wife Florence; his children: Ronald (Charo) Rhoads of Margate, FL; Terry (Diane) Rhoads of Mio, MI; Randy (Debbie) Rhoads of Williamsburg, MI; Brent (Kelly) Rhoads of Midland, MI; and Diane (Dennis) Shaw of Chicago, IL; his brother Forest Rhoads of Mio; 12 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lloyd, and his sisters Catherine and Mildred.
Visitation Friday, January 14, 2011, from 3-5 and 6-8 PM at Lashley Funeral Home, Mio; and again from 10 AM until the time of Funeral service at 11 AM on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Comins Mennonite Church with Mr. Steve Gusler officiating.  Interment at Fairview Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Advantage, 401 Center Ave., Ste 150, Bay City, MI 48708.
Arrangements by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, Michigan.