Lawrence Rhoda, 98

Lawrence Alford Rhoda, age 98, of Schoolcraft, went to be with his Lord on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 at Bronson Methodist Hospital following a brief illness.   He was born in Sherman Twp., St. Joseph County on April 26, 1911 the son of Albert and Mary (Schmidtendorf) Rhoda.
Mr. Rhoda has been a life long resident of this area.  He and his late wife Flora Elizabeth “Betty” whom were married in Centreville, MI. on June 26, 1937 moved to Schoolcraft where they started their family farm.  Lawrence was a member of the Kalamazoo Farm Bureau and loved farming and fishing.  His greatest love was his Lord and his family.  Lawrence and Betty were lifetime members of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Three Rivers, where Lawrence served as an elder for over forty years and youth counselor for over twenty.
Mr. Rhoda was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, two sisters, and three brothers.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving children, Nancy (James) Fellner, of Schoolcraft, MI., Ruth (Larry) Cowan, of Memphis, TN.; David Rhoda, Albert Rhoda, and John (Carla Rae) Rhoda, all of Schoolcraft, MI.; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at the Hohner Funeral Home, Three Rivers.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Alan Stadelman officiating.
Interment will be held in Schoolcraft Cemetery, Schoolcraft, MI.
Memorials may be donated to the St. Peter’s Lutheran Roof Fund and/or the Lutheran Hour.  Envelopes available at the funeral home.