John Merrill Rhoades

John Merrill Rhoades, 101, a former resident of Waynesboro, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023 in Springfield, Ohio. Mr. Rhoades was born December 4, 1921, in York Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, a son of the late Alonzo and Ada Mary (Jones) Rhoades. He proudly served his country during WWII as a meteorologist in the United States Army Air Forces, having reached the rank of Captain, graduated from Ohio State University and retired after 35 years from the former General Electric Company, having received 35 patents. He had been around the world twice and been on all of the continents except Antarctica. He was a member of Rockfish Valley Baptist Church. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Marguerite Rhoades, his second wife, Phyllis Rhoades and brothers, Paul W. Rhoades and Dwight B. Rhoades and their wives. Survivors include two sons, James A. Rhoades and wife Karen of Conn., Lon E. Rhoades of Ohio; two grandsons, Edward and Philip Rhoades; two step grandchildren, Charles Vieaux and Catherine Carignan and their families; sister-in-law Shenandoah Hamilton, brother-in-law Henry Hughes; many nephews and nieces; and seven step great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes with Pastor Justin Braun officiating. Burial will follow in Augusta Memorial Park with military rites provided by the United States Army Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 618 W. Main St. Waynesboro, Va. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com