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Murray G. Rhodes, 89, passed away on Sept. 14, 2026, and entered his heavenly home.
Born Sept. 15, 1936, in Oak Park, Ill., Murray was the son of Eldo and Helen Scribner Rhodes. He was raised in Whiting and on March 31, 1978, married his best friend and beloved wife, Joan.
Murray earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and remained a loyal supporter of the university and Illinois athletics throughout his life.
He proudly served in the Air National Guard and was activated during the Berlin Crisis, serving 13 months at Chambery Air Force Base in France. Murray was a life member of American Legion Post 253, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Rifle Association.
Following management and sales positions with International Harvester, Freightliner and Berg Corporation, Murray founded OE Trade Marketing. An entrepreneur at heart, he patented a product that became the foundation of JRZ Industries and established several other business ventures before retiring in 1998.
Murray enjoyed golfing at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club and courses across the country, following sports, and captaining his beloved yacht, Che Bella. He especially cherished boating adventures with family and friends, including completing the Great Loop, a remarkable journey that took him from Lake Michigan through the inland waterways of the United States, around Florida, to New York City, through Savannah and back home.
Surviving are his wife, Joan Rhodes; sons, Todd (Tracy) Rhodes, of Livonia, Mich.; and Dale Rhodes, of Nappanee; John (Tammy) Leek and Joe (Cathy) Leek, both of Warsaw; grandchildren: Sean, Brandon, Tim, Dalton, Madison, Ryan, Mark, Jodi and Christopher; great-grandchildren: Parker, Eli, Hallie, Fred, Colt, Aubrey, Caleb, Edith, Rayden, Clara, Bentley, Lois, Pearl, Millie and Lila; and brother, Ron (Karen) Rhodes, of Provo, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldo and Helen Rhodes; brother, Glenn Rhodes; and grandson, Adam.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 10 at Faith Bible Fellowship Church (formerly North Webster Church of the Brethren), 7281 E. CR 600N, North Webster. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m. A luncheon will be served immediately afterward.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929; or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, P.O. Box 71719, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0719.
Arrangements are entrusted to Titus Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Warsaw, 2000 Sheridan St., Warsaw, Ind.
To send an online condolence, please visit www.TitusFuneralHome.com
