Mary Ann (Vandeveer) Rhoades

Mary Ann Rhoades, 80, of Vandalia, Illinois, formerly of Ramsey, IL, passed away Saturday, September 23, 2023, surrounded by family at SBL Fayette County Hospital LTC in Vandalia, IL.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, September 29, 2023, at First United Methodist Church, Vandalia, IL, with Pastor R.C. Merten officiating.  Burial will follow at Ramsey Cemetery, Ramsey, IL. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the church, and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Memorials: Pana Community Hospital Foundation Fund, Gideons International, and University of Illinois Extension. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.

Mary Ann was born at home September 16, 1943, in Alma Township of Marion County, IL, the daughter of Ray Owen Sr. & Mary Lucille (Shaffer) Vandeveer. She married Norman R. Rhoades on August 13, 1961, in Kinmundy, IL. He passed away on August 27, 2023. She was a Kindergarten through twelfth-grade music and art teacher at Fillmore and Ramsey schools; a private piano teacher for 45 years; an adjunct music and art education instructor for Greenville University; a judge for the Marion County and State Fair Talent Competitions; a UMC Lay Speaker; a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ramsey, Pana, and then in Vandalia; a member of the Illinois Music Educators Association; a member of Gideons Auxiliary; a member of the Pana Hospital Board and Foundation Board; inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame based on serving as a 4-H leader for 35 years, serving as a judge for county and state 4-H shows, and forming an after school special interest 4-H club geared around teaching children how to cook, as well as her work with Extension Council, Extension Foundation, and leadership teams of the 4-H program.

She is survived by: Sons - Kevin Rhoades & Janette, Saint Charles, MO and Kelly Rhoades & Tamra, St. Louis, MO; Daughter - Kathryn Taylor & Paul, Fillmore, IL; Grandchildren - Afthan, Meghan, Taylor, Abigail, Scott, Matthew, Grant, and Claudia; Great Grandchildren - Emmet, Lucas, Jackson, Rayland, Daniel, and Samuel; Brothers - Ray Vandeveer Jr. & Ellen and Rolland Vandeveer & Cindy, both of Salem, IL; Sister - Marilyn Britton & Brian of Centralia, IL; Sisters-in-law - Carolyn Vandeveer, Salem, IL and Mabelene Virden, Vandalia, IL; Nieces and Nephews. 

She was preceded in death by: Parents; Husband - Norman; and Brother - Russell Vandeveer.

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