Eleanor Selby Rhoads

Eleanor (Selby) Rhoads, 87, of Newton, died Sunday, July 7, 2019, at Park Centre. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, July 12 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until the time of service and again after the service with a light lunch at the funeral home. Memorials to the Community Heights Alliance Church may be left at the funeral home.

Eleanor, the daughter of Ernest and Margurite Sarah (Harper) Selby, was born May 6, 1932, in Albia. She grew up in Albia and graduated from Albia High School in 1950. She later became a certified nursing assistant. On June 17, 1950, Eleanor was united in marriage with Alfred Rhoads in Albia. Shortly after they moved to Newton. Eleanor worked as a nurse’s aide and as a homemaker, raising the couples’ five boys. She was a member of the Community Heights Alliance Church. Eleanor enjoyed playing cards, reading, bowling, camping, watching game shows and spending time with family. She was also known for making Christmas candy and handing it out to everyone she knew at Christmas time. Eleanor was thought of as “mom” to many in her extended family as well, as she was always there to love and support her nieces and nephews as they were growing up.

Eleanor is survived by her sons, Randy (Cindy) Rhoads of Newton, Bruce Rhoads (Jenny McMillen) of Knoxville and Kevin (Kristi) Rhoads of Newton; grandchildren, Chad (Crystal) Rhoads, Tori (Nate) Boleyn, Nathan (Maggie) Rhoads, Justin Rhoads, Kendra Rhoads, Sarah Rhoads (Michael Nowack), Kaylie (Dakota) Hills, Hannah Rhoads and Rachel Rhoads; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alfred in 1989; two sons, Daniel in 1980 and Clay in 1985; three brothers, Gene, Ernest, Jr. and Harold Selby; and two sisters, Margie Nace and her twin sister, Ellen Clair.