OBITUARY FROM POST-TRIBUNE WEBSITE, MARCH 5, 2011:

Rhoades, Franklin age 98 a longtime Hobart resident, passed away on March 2, 2011. He was born May 1, 1912 in Gary, Indiana to Ralph F. and Elizabeth (Ols) Rhoades. In 1947, he married Evelyn (Smith) Rhoades who preceded him in 1994. He was also preceded in death by brother Robert Rhoades and sisters Eleanor Hawke, Dorothy Daniels and Bertie Grose. He studied at Purdue University and was a member of PKA fraternity. He was employed at Inland Steel Co. for 23 years. He later worked in the banking industry for 26 years. He was an officer and member of the board of directors for Steel City Federal Savings and Loan as well as 1St Federal S&L of Gary, President of the Downtown Gary Council, board member of the Salvation Army, President of the Greater Gary Credit Bureau, Downtown YMCA, Boy Scout Scoutmaster Troop 42 of Hobart, member of the Executive board of Boy Scouts of the Calumet Council. He served his country in WW II as a Staff Sergeant in the Army, stationed in the South Pacific, earning a Bronze Arrowhead for Assault landing in Bataan. He also earned 5 bronze stars and many service ribbons. He was a long time member of First United Methodist Church of Hobart, IN and Hobart American Legion Post #54. He enjoyed his retirement years traveling overseas even into his 90's.

He is survived by daughter Gail (Walter) Hacker of Crown Point and son Harold (Pam) Rhoades of Hebron; grandchildren, Lacie Hacker, Lauren Hacker, Abby Hacker, Kelly (Scott) Tarter, Casey Rhoades, and Corey (Sara) Rhoades; great granddaughter Maggie Rhoades.

Funeral Service Monday, March 7, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Tracey Leslie officiating at Rees Funeral Home, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd., Hobart. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Hobart. Visitation Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00 8:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel. Call 219-942-2109 or online at Reesfuneralhomes.com.

This information and photo were obtained from: http://legacy.post-trib.com/obituaries/posttribune/obituary.aspx?n=franklin-rhoades&pid=149093494&fhid=4971.