Joseph Rhodes

Joseph M (Joe) Rhodes 87, of Merkel passed away on December 22nd at his home in Merkel. 

 A memorial service will be held at Faith Baptist Church, 2300 S. 20th St, Abilene on Friday January 2, 2026 at 1:00pm with committal with military honors to follow at 3:00pm at The Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. 

 Joe was born in Camden Arkansas to Ewell James and Pearl (Beckwith) Rhodes on June 4th,1938. He went to school in Corpus Christi and graduated from Ray High School. Right out of high school he joined the United States Air Force and honorably retired after 20 years as a TSgt. He was very proud of his service that took him all over the world including Southeast Asia, Vietnam and as a TI at Lackland AFB.

 Joe received his Associates Degree in Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology from Cisco Jr College in Abilene.

 Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Wanda Farenthold, his brother EJ Rhodes and a son Joseph M Rhodes Jr. 

 Joe is survived by his spouse Tina Francis Rhodes, his sons William (Willie) Rhodes and his wife Jina of Rule, Patrick Reynolds of Seguin, bonus son Christopher Wills and his wife DeAnna of Abilene, Rusty Greer of Ft Worth, David Greer and his wife Brenda of Merkel and bonus son Ben McClure and his wife Michelle. His daughters, Christiana and Brad Fleming of Cisco, Cindy and Bill Finch of Gonzales, Debbie Rush and Richard Deft of Alvin, Janet and Steven Allee(Deceased) of Skidmore, Tammy and Gary Malatek of Cost and bonus daughter Julie and RJ Garcia of San Antonio, Kim Greer of Merkel, Angie and Suzanne Greer of all over the country and his sister Sharon Yarnell of San Antonio. 28 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren and a lot of nieces and nephews. Joe never used the word step, he believed families were more than blood.

 Memorials may be given to Vietnam Veterans. 

 The family of Joe Rhodes wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Nurses at Hendricks Hospice for their compassionate care.