Loretta Charlotte Rhodes

Loretta Charlotte Klink Rhodes, 93, of 31 North Park Avenue, Meadville, joined her heavenly family on December 29, 2012. She was formerly from Conneaut Lake and had resided at Wesbury Grace Health Center for 6 years. She was born July 28, 1919 at Schaumburg, IL and was the daughter of William and Anna Krenz Klink. She married George Laurence Rhodes on October 1, 1940 and he preceded her in death on December 29, 1975. Loretta was a graduate of East Fallowfield High School and Meadville Commercial College. She was employed in Conneaut Lake at the former Bills Radio and Supply Co., the former Merchants Bank, now Marquette Savings Bank, and also worked for the Moss and Harned Families. She was on the March of Dimes Board and organized the Mothers Day march in Conneaut Lake. She was the last surviving member of the Knit-Wit Club, and was pianist and Past Noble Grand of the former Rebecca of the Lake Lodge #142. Loretta was the first woman to be elected to serve on the Conneaut Lake Borough Council and was Chairman of the Beach Committee. She also was selected to be Queen for the Conneaut Lake Bicentennial Celebration. She joined Conneaut Lake Trinity United Methodist Church in 1940, where she was assistant organist, choir member, Sunday School teacher, served on several committees and was a member and Past President of the former Womens Society of Christian Service. Loretta assisted with the operation of the William C. Rhodes Funeral Home located at Conneaut Lake from 1947 to 1986. She could do every task connected with the funeral profession except embalming, which she refused to learn and comforted more than 1,000 families. She always remarked that when she hugged someone, their tears never stained her dresses. She was known for being a classy dresser and did not consider herself properly dressed until she was wearing a hat and white gloves. She was preceded in death by her parents, a great uncle, Otto Klink, her husband Laurence, a sister, Gertrude (Toots) Baker, two brothers, Herbert and Kent Klink, a sister-in-law, Jean Klink and several nieces and nephews. She also missed her dog, Dolly, who died in October. Loretta is survived by a son, William (Bill) Rhodes of Meadville; a brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Marian Klink of Hartstown; two sisters-in-law, Jean Rhodes of Conneaut Lake and Norma Rhodes of Ohio and numerous nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, Inc., 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake. There will be a funeral service Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Barco Chapel of Grace Health Center at Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville with Rev. Ellen Rezek, Chaplain, officiating. Additionally, for her Conneaut Lake friends and family there will be a funeral service at 3 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 240 N. Third St., Conneaut Lake, with Rev. Jay Sterling, Pastor and Rev. Dave Brumagin, Pastoral Assistant, officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Harmonsburg, with Rev. Rachel Johns, Pastor of Hartstown Presbyterian Church, officiating. The family suggests memorials be made to The Wesbury Benevolent Fund, 31 N. Park Avenue, Meadville, PA 16335 or Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box BB, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316. Memories and condolences may be shared at waidcolemanfh.com