James E. Rhoades

James E. Rhoades, age 64, of rural Bryan, Ohio, died at 12:35 A.M. on Monday, March 9, 2015, in his home after suffering a brief illness. After graduating from Bryan High School, he attended Mid Michigan Community College in Harrison, Michigan. Mr. Rhoades worked as a machinist at Auburn Gear in Auburn, Indiana, Paragon Metals in Hillsdale, Michigan, and nearly 25 years at Metaldyne, formerly Simpson Industries, in Edon, Ohio. He was a founder of the Williams County Anglers and a member of Fort Defiance Bass Anglers. He played softball for forty years on several industrial and church leagues and loved to hunt and train dogs. James E. Rhoades was born on March 6, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Benjamin Ford and Helen Marie (Tressler) Rhoades, who preceded him in death in 2003 and 2000, respectively. Survivors include one daughter, Shelby (Ryan) Burger, of Defiance, Ohio; one son, Dustin Rhoades, of Bryan; and four grandchildren, including one special grandaughter, Mikaylah Marie Rhoades. He also leaves several very special friends, including Jerry and Beth Graber, Bernard and Jennifer Wagner, Sherm and Joanne Fassett, and the Boyer family. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015, from 2:00-5:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, with a service to follow at 5:30 P.M. with Mike Hartman officiating. Memorials are requested to Community Health Professionals or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.