Rough & Tumble Engineers
Kinzers, Pennsylvania

Bernard ‘Col.’ Ross Rhodes Sr., 88, of Church Hill, MD, died January 27, 2015 in U of M Shore Medical Center at Chestertown.

Mr. Rhodes was born on March 15, 1926 in Centreville, MD, son of the late Harry Bernard Rhodes and Helen Ross Rhodes.

A lifelong resident of Church Hill, where he owned and operated an electrical, plumbing and air conditioning service, Ross Rhodes Sales & Service for many years. He was a graduate of Reisch Auctioneering School, Mason City Iowa, where he earned his Auctioneering degree of honorary Kentucky Colonel in 1946. He was a life member and past president of Maryland Auctioneers Association, life member of Church Hill Vol. Fire Company, where he joined in 1950 and had served as chief engineer. He was a founding member and past vice president of Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Assoc. in Easton, a member of Eastern Shore Threshermen’s Assoc., Federalsburg, Rough & Tumble, Kinzers, PA and from 1955 to 1964 he served as Church Hill Town Commissioner. He enjoyed collecting antique farm equipment.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Marie Gibson Rhodes in 2011, and a brother, Charles Rhodes.

Col. Rhodes is survived by his children, Ross Rhodes Jr. and wife Karen, Lynda R. Hall and husband Jimmy, Dawn R. Ventress and husband Bill, Greg Rhodes and wife Melinda and Marie Huffer; his siblings, John Rhodes, Robert Rhodes, Harry Rhodes, Helen Lane and Joe Rhodes; his grandchildren, Jamie Hall, April Barczewski, Tina Rhodes, Ryan Middleton, Gregory Rhodes, Lyle Hammer, Dylan Huffer and Melyn Rhodes; and three great-grandchildren, Abigail and Gabe Middleton and Ella Barczewski.

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St., Galena, MD, and on Saturday, January 31 from 10 to 12, where funeral service will begin at 12 Noon. Burial in Church Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to Church Hill Vol. Fire Co., P.O. Box 66, Church Hill, MD. 21623 or Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Assoc. Inc., P.O. Box 636, Easton, MD 21601.