Ruth Elizabeth Rhodes

Ruth Elizabeth Rhodes, 100, formerly of Camp Hill, PA, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, November 15, 2024, in her cottage at Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg. She was the daughter of the late Helgar "Harry" and Anna (Watson) Palmer, born on April 13, 1924, in McKeesport.

Born and raised in Western PA, she graduated from McKeesport Area Senior High School and would go on to become a Registered Nurse. She was a nurse cadet during WWII, successfully graduating from the accelerated program at Westmoreland Hospital's School of Nursing, Greensburg, but never served because the war ended. After marriage and having two children, the family would relocate to Camp Hill where she would spend time raising her son and daughter. As they grew, she returned to nursing, working at the former HealthSouth in Mechanicsburg and Nightingale Nursing Home in Camp Hill. She was active in the Highland Women's Club and the Armitage Ladies Golf Association, and she and her husband, Robert, have been longtime members of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Camp Hill. For the past 15 years, they have resided in the cottages at Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg. Above all else, family meant everything to Ruth.

Surviving Ruth is her husband and best friend of 77 years, Robert K. Rhodes; her children, Robert P. Rhodes (Barbara) of Lincoln University and Linda Rae Lorich (Bruce) of State College; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

A public visitation will be held at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 10AM until a funeral service begins at 11AM. Burial will immediately follow in Rolling Green Cemetery, Camp Hill.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Ruth's name to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church at www.gracecamphill.org, or to Shriners Children's Hospital at www.shrinerschildrens.org.