Donald H. Rhodes
March 4, 1946 ~ January 6, 2015
Donald H. Rhodes, "The Gov", 68, of Weirton, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2015 in the Trinity Medical Center West, Steubenville, OH. He was born March 4, 1946 in Keyser, WV, a son of the late Howard W. and Thelma E. Tingler Rhodes. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Richard Tingler and Ron, Gene and Ray Rhodes.
With 35 years of service, Donald retired from Weirton Steel where he worked as a crane and buggy operator. He was a member of the Weirton Heights Free Methodist Church and was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener and Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
Donald is survived by his wife Martha Louise Kosut Rhodes; sons Donald W. (Cathy) Rhodes of Harrisonburg, VA and Ronald E. Rhodes of Weirton; daughters Theresa Lynn (Jeff) Hughes of Newell, WV and Tina Louise (Michael) Duckworth of Aptos, CA; grandchildren Kelsie and Anthony Travaglino, Jessica Barnhart, Katie and Owen Duckworth and Mark (Cara), Christian, Nicholas and Austin Rhodes; great granddaughter Amelia Travaglino and one great granddaughter on the way, Selah Rhodes; brothers Butch Rhodes of PA, Brian Rhodes of OH, Bob Rhodes of Keyser, WV and sister Linda George of Keyser, WV.
Visitation will be held Friday 2-4 and 6-8PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton. Private funeral services will be celebrated at the Weirton Heights Free Methodist Church with the Pastor Mike Campbell officiating. Interment will be in New Cumberland Cemetery, New Cumberland, WV.
Memorial contributions may be made to Weirton Heights Free Methodist Church, 300 School Street, Weirton, WV 26062.
Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all
I am very sorry to hear of Don’s, aka the Governors, passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers…much love…
I might not be at home but I will never forget my friends and family that were there when I was growing up.Sorry for you loss my old friend.
Donald and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with Martha and you kids………..With much love, Diana…..Donna and Debby’s mother
Dear Dad in Heaven,
I miss you so much. I miss our long conversations, your laughter, the anticipation of coming to see you. I miss your smile. My soul aches with pain that is hard to describe. Your brave battle with cancer was so courageous. You lived courageously with it until the very end. You inspired and taught me through your fight, and through those actions, you won your battle in the most important way.
The memories we shared will last forever. Owen still talks about those delicious “pole cat†ribs you made on the grill. You always knew how to turn bad into good. I will always remember the importance of those little things in life. I still keep one of your messages on my phone so I can hear your voice and that makes me smile. I’ve always dreamed of having an amazing green thumb like yours. Unfortunately, for me (and all of my plants), it looks like I will have to continue to try. Katie’s class did a study at school on whether talking to flowers really makes them grow. The results were negative, but I beg to differ – they’ve obviously never seen the flowers that you were talking to.
Your cooking is also another amazing gift you had that I will miss. I hope to dissect that tasty rib rub you made and put in that jar you labeled “top secret”. Thanks for being the dad you were for me and the grandfather to my children. All those trips we made, there was never a silent moment. Like rain drops on a tin roof.
Until we meet again…your daughter, Tina
A special thank you to the friendly staff and nurses and especially Dr. Dennis Meisner and his nurse practitioner Melissa at the Teramana Cancer Center. I would also like to thank Dr. David Clump at Shadyside Hospital for his tremendous positive energy and for never saying “can’t”.
Condolences to the Rhodes family. Your family is in our prayers.