Coach John R. Rhoades

PENDLETON- Coach John R. Rhoades, 77, passed away March 17, 2019. He was born June 7, 1941 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was a 1959 graduate of Whiteland High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Franklin College and his master’s degree from Indiana State University.John taught and coached at Whiteland; Monticello and Prairie Heights before finding his home at Pendleton Heights from 1974-2004 (30 years) where he taught mathematics, coached and built the programs he loved to support with the kids that meant so much to him. His coaching career consisted of coaching high school football from 1974-1979, JV boys basketball 1974-1987, 8th grade girls basketball 1988-1989, JV girls basketball 1990-2004, Girls Track 1976-1992 and Girls Cross Country 1979 -2004. In 1976 John took over the Track program for the student athletes when the program was going to be canceled, his first season was 5-3 but the next 15 years they won 160 straight dual meets. His teams loved him so much they wrote a song for him to the tune of John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads” called “Take Me Home Coach Rhoades”. He was also honored by being asked to coach the Midwest Meet of Champions. In 1979 prior to it being a recognized IHSAA sanctioned sport he started the Girls Cross Country Program. He took the first ever Pendleton team to the State Finals, which they attended as a team twice in his 25 years as coach. One of his proudest moments as a coach was graduating 10 valedictorians. The State of Indiana honored him with coach of the year for his many contributions to the sports he loved the most. After his retirement he continued to drive the bus to athletic and school events, helped in the press box at football games, worked track and cross country meets, gave the cross country teams popsicles and water on hot days as they ran by the house. John is survived by his loving wife and best friend Judy (Mueller) Rhoades of 56 years, their loving pets, Sophie and Lisi, 4 daughters, 7 grand children, 9 great grandchildren, 3 siblings and a brother in law.Daughters Families: Natalie Rhoades Britton (Fred): Britney (Chris) Durham: Gwen, Kyler, Naima and Victor; Alyssa Britton; Stephani (Craig) Kemper: Lilyana, Jayden and KoldenDebbie Rhoades McKissick: Kurtiss (Tonye) McKissick: Kianna and Quinn Carol Rhoades (Anthony) Walker: Donte’ Beason (Paige and Perry)Krista Rhoades (Chris) DePoy: Emma and Matthew DePoySiblings/Brother In Law: Alan Rhoades, Ronnie Melton, Trish Melton, Lance MuellerAdditional family and friends: Brad Britton, John McKissick, his Tuesday morning breakfast/golf buddies, former and current colleagues, athletes and students, especially those of South Madison Community Schools.Services at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Pendleton Heights High School Auditorium, One Arabian Drive, Pendleton. Burial will follow in Grove Lawn Cemetery, Pendleton.Visitation from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 22, 2019 at PHHS Auditorium.In lieu of flowers contributions are requested to South Madison Community Foundation, 233 S. Main St., Pendleton, IN 46064 in his memory to support PHHS Girl’s Athletic Programs.Arrangements entrusted to Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, Lahm Chapel, 211 E. State St., Pendleton, Indiana 46064.Online condolences available at www.wilsonstpierre.com