Harold Edward Rhodes, Jr.

Harold Edward Rhodes, Jr., 83, of West Grove, Pennsylvania passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at Heartland Hospice after an illness.  

Born January 7, 1935 in Vanderbilt, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Mr. Rhodes was the son of the late Harold E. Rhodes, Sr. and the late Ruby Newmyer Rhodes.  He graduated from East Bethlehem High School in Fredericktown, PA.  While in high school, he was a star football player, playing the position of fullback.  He proudly wore number 53 on his jersey.  This inspired a lifelong love of football and particularly for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Harold went on to attend Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, MD.  He took a hiatus from college and returned home to Fredericktown where he met his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Skoloda Rhodes.  They married January 26th, 1957 and Harold became a father to son, Jerome, on October 29th 1957.  He returned to college in 1959, after working for two years Fisher Body in Cleveland Ohio.  He completed his Bachelors of Arts from Columbia Union College in Education.  Harold later went on to attend graduate school at Johns Hopkins University, where he received his Master of Education.  He was a educator at the Prince George’s School System in Prince George’s County, MD.  He taught Problems of Democracy at Suitland High School and later went on to become a Guidance Counselor at Bladensburg High School. As a Guidance Counselor, Mr. Rhodes was very proud of the success of many his graduates. 

Mr. Rhodes retired from teaching in 1986, when he was 51.  He then went into the confectionary business and was well known for his peanut brittle and fudge.  In his retirement, Harold also fostered a lifelong love of gardening, particularly roses, of which the Mr. Lincoln was his favorite. 

In addition to his wife and son, Harold is survived by his son and his four grandchildren.  Jerome Rhodes and Barbara Neuse are the proud parents of Derek T. Billnitzer, Andrew J. Billnitzer, M.D., Rebecca A. Rhodes and Ryan E. Rhodes. Harold is also survived by his four sisters, of Dolores Mason (Richard), Mary Ellen Neel, Lola Bowers (Richard) and Cynthia Doriguzzi (Millard).  He was predeceased by his brothers, Robert and George Rhodes. 

A viewing will be on Thursday, August 2, 2018 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and on Friday, August 3, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM with a funeral service at 11:00 AM at the KENNETT SQUARE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 408 Bayard Road, Kennett Square.  Pastor Elvis Mogoi will officiate the service.

Burial will follow the funeral service in Longwood Cemetery. 

Family flowers arranged by LeStyle25 of Unionville, 610-925-1901 tel.

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