Donald Paul Rhodes, Sr., passed peacefully at his home on Saturday, June 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was 94 years old.

Donald was born on July 11,1929, on the Rhodes farm in Butler Township, Adams County, PA. He was the only child of Paul T. and Sadie E. Guise Rhodes.

Donald married Betty Jane Dellinger on June 4, 1950. Their first date was on St. Patrick's Day.  Both enjoyed recalling that they went to the Littlestown movie theatre to see "Casablanca." They became lifelong farmers in Straban Township, New Oxford, PA. Donald lived on the family farm for over 76 years.

He received infant baptism into Trinity United Church of Christ in Biglerville, PA and following Catechism instruction joined the Biglerville church at the age of 14. He was a life member of Trinity United Church of Christ (Trinity Christian Fellowship). He served several terms in the church Consistory and was an adult Sunday School leader. He attended Benders Church grade school and graduated from Biglerville High School's class of 1947.

He is predeceased by his wife Betty of 73 years who died May 26, 2024. He is survived by four children, Tedd Rhodes (Jacki), Sharon Eckert (Brian), Carol McGeehan, and Donald P. Rhodes, Jr. (Suzanne). Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, one step-grandchild and ten great-grandchildren.

Donald served for more than 39 years as a Rural Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service in New Oxford. He was a member of Hebron Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of New Oxford for over 60 years and served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1965. He also was a member of the Gettysburg Commandery No. 79, K.T. He was a member of the Hunterstown Ruritan Club for more than 60 years. In his earlier years, Donald was a member of several commercial county boards in Adams County.

Though not a practical joker, he loved sitting around with his family, Postal Service colleagues, and many friends telling jokes and reminiscing. Donald loved traveling out West and to Canada with his wife and to visit tractor shows in the area with sons and grandsons. He was a hard worker and loved being a farmer.

He and Betty enjoyed country music. In their years together they enjoyed sitting on the porch and watching deer, opossums, raccoons, cats, and other animals that crossed the fields on their farm. They also had two pet geese that they took great joy in watching. Donald took pleasure in naming some of the animals and conjured stories about their activities.

A Memorial Service to honor the memories of both Donald and Betty will be held on Friday, July 26th at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's "The Pines" Lutheran Church, 1535 Hunterstown Hampton Road, New Oxford. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery.

Our family is grateful to the many caregivers who provided wonderful care and compassion.

We will never forget the legacies left by Donald and Betty, for whom our family's love endures.

Memorial contributions may be made in Donald's memory to VNA of Hanover & Spring Grove, 440 Madison St., Hanover, PA 17331, or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023. You may also donate at http://www.diabetes.org.

Feiser Funeral Home, Inc, 302 Lincoln Way West, New Oxford, is in charge of arrangements.  Memories may be shared at www.feiserfuneralhome.com.

VNA / Hospice
440 N. Madison St., Hanover PA 17331

American Diabetes Association
3544 N. Progress Ave. Suite 103, Harrisburg PA 17110