SOUTH WHITLEY — Doris A. Rhoades, 89, formerly of South Whitley, died at 5:45 a.m. March 9, 2017, at Renaissance Village, where she had been a resident since July 2016. She was born Nov. 1, 1927, in Whitley County, a daughter of Harry and Jessie Stoner Jenkins. Her formative years were spent in Whitley and Kosciusko counties. She completed her education at Sidney High School. On June 3, 1944, she was united in marriage to Russell E. Rhoades Jr. They made their home in Fort Wayne, Montana, Wyoming and moved to South Whitley in 1949. Mr. Rhoades died Aug. 5, 2013. A seamstress, she also worked at Stump’s Printing for 13 years and Tranter Printing from 1994 until 2014. Surviving relatives include four daughters: Gwendolyn Gephart, Fort Wayne; Deanna (spouse Randall) Lancaster, Henderson, Nev.; Carolyn (spouse Daryl) Eberly, South Whitley; and Stacey (spouse Brian) Rhoades-Yee, Fort Wayne; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded by a sister, Icel Knight, and three brothers: Everett Jenkins, Merritt Jenkins and Cecil Jenkins. The service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley, with visitation after 10 a.m. Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation will also be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Humane Society of Whitley County. Condolences may be sent at www.smithandsonsfuneral home.com.
