Kenneth Evon Rhodes, age 89, was born July 21, 1936 in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Kenneth V. and Mildred (Mitchell) Rhodes. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side on November 16, 2025.
Ken lived a life rooted in learning, creativity, and service. He delivered papers in his youth and later worked at Butler Buildings and Admiral during high school and college. A proud graduate of New London, Iowa High School in 1954, he went on to earn his B.S. in Education from Northeast Missouri State University (Truman) in 1959 and his Masters in Education from the University of Missouri in 1969.
Teaching was his calling. Ken spent 37 years teaching Art ~ 33 years with the Maysville School District and 4 years at New Franklin. He also taught evening classes at Wentworth College and worked with the Census, sign painting on the side. He drew weekly cartoons for the Dekalb County Record Herald in the early 1980’s, covered high school sports, and wrote a sports column in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. He even wrote a children’s book, a heartfelt project that was never published but deeply cherished by those who knew about it. His love for local history inspired him to compile seven books on 100 years of Maysville High School history.
A gifted and dedicated K~12 Art and Publications teacher, Ken poured countless hours into guiding students as they created the school newspaper, The Howl, the yearbook, and The Mahian, long before the convenience of computers. He was always present at school activities ~ camera in hand ~ ensuring the moments that mattered were remembered, to cheer on his students, help with school events, and to visit with the community. He found great joy in creating new lessons and adding to his curriculum. He enjoyed making the student samples which were often an art masterpiece. He painted a Wolverine mural on the gym wall and on a large propane tank behind the school. One quite successful student said, “He changes lives. He believed in kids even when they doubted themselves.”
A similar sentiment has been shared with the family many times. He was quite proud of his former student’s successes after high school.
He was a devoted member of the Maysville United Methodist Church and the Fairport Lions Club. In 2014, he was honored with the Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” award. He enjoyed sports, writing, painting, golf, and was an avid reader. His passion for local history continued through his volunteer work at the historical society.
Above all, Ken loved his family. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Wanda Rose (Callihan) Rhodes; three daughters, Tracy (Robert) Sipes, Dawn (Brent) Michael, Rhonda (Jerry) Kellam; sister, Beverly (Rodney) Bryan; grandchildren, John Pierce, Jason (Destiny) Michael, Jacob Michael, Ryan (Ana) Sipes, Lauren Kellam, Jordan (Hayley) Sipes, Kelsie (Trevor) Tobin-Boyd, Garrett (Gabby) Kellam, Jared Michael, Jennifer Michael; 11 great-great grandchildren; and many other family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeffrey Glen Rhodes; sisters, Cheryl Ann, Betty Alves, and Ruby Kraus.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Maysville United Methodist Church, with burial immediately following at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Family will receive friends from 6:00 ~ 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Maysville United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ken’s honor to: Kenneth Rhodes Scholarship Fund or Maysville United Methodist Church.
