Dec. 11, 1914 Nov. 12, 2012
Ellis E. Rhodes, 97, Altoona, died Monday evening at his home.
He was born in Martinsburg, son of Emory L. and Susanna (Metzgar) Rhodes. He was twice married, first to the late Violet Baughman, then in 1965 to Anna Marie McCorkle.
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Rhodes
Surviving are his wife; a son, Thomas of Duncansville; a stepson, Fred McCorkle; two stepdaughters: Carol Galioto of Altoona and Cindy Beach of Media; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by four brothers: Herman, Clarence, Raymond and Wilmer; a daughter, Carol Ann Mackanos; and a great-grandson.
Ellis was a 1931 graduate of Martinsburg High School and a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. He retired as a painting contractor and was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Bellwood. He was also a member of Portage Lodge 220, Hollidaysburg, and Altoona Consistory and a 50-year member of the Jaffa Shrine, Jaffa Clowns and Jaffa Antique and Classic Car Club.
He was an active member of the Antique Automobile Club of America and was the Allegheny Region director for nine years. He also belonged to the Kaiser-Frazer-Darrin-Willys Club and was the director for three terms. He was an accomplished restorer of antique automobiles and won many national and grand national awards.
Ellis lived in Alaska for a year and was an avid hunter, having taken one of nearly every big game animal in North America.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at The Good Funeral Home Inc., Alto-Reste Park Cemetery, where a funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, the Rev. Kathy Colebank officiating. Interment will be at Alto-Reste Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home Nursing Agency Hospice, 201 Chestnut Ave., P.O. Box 352, Altoona, PA 16603.
