Rodell M. Rhine

Mr. Rodell M. Rhine, age 92 of Cobden, died at 7:55 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2014 in St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born December 15, 1921 in Eldorado, the son of Raymond S. and Amy Tison Rhine. He married Mary Kathryn Johnston on July 27, 1945 in Chicago. She preceded him in death on August 18, 2012. Rodell was a member of the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church in Cobden. He was a sixty year member of the Jonesboro Masonic Lodge 111, the American Legion and the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the V.F.W. in Anna and was a former Agriculture Teacher at Shawnee High School. Rodell lived on his farm he purchased forty four years ago, nestled in the hills of Union County. He worked more than forty years tirelessly putting into place sustainable conservation practices. As a proud American, farmer and conservationist, Rodell told the story that he always thought he was poor. He grew up one of eight children, on a farm in Saline County, he went barefoot to school, and for Christmas he received an orange and hard candy. While serving in World War II, he was stationed in India, then Africa. He saw the people's despair and poverty and said he realized that he had grown up "rich" rather than poor. His upbringing and then his war experience shaped his life forever. He never took life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness for granted. Rodell taught his five children and fifteen grandchildren that, "in life you must always give back more than you take". He also taught them how to be "green", respect and protect the land, trees, animals, air and water. He developed numerous wilderness areas, planting sunflowers, wild grasses and tens of thousands of trees. The Natural Resources Conservation Office stated that in the 90's that Rodell Rhine "sets an example of an ideal conservationist". Rodell was selected as the Land Use Councils, winning Conservation Farm Family in June of 2013. The sustainable conservation methods Rodell Rhine initiated more than forty years ago continue to be practiced on his family farm and are building a better future for our greatest natural resource, family. Rodell is survived by his children, Debbie (Mike) Rath of Carbondale, Leslie (Fred) Heinz of Cobden, Sharee Dawn (Chuck) Roberts of Cobden, Scott (Cheryl) Rhine of Alto Pass; fourteen grandchildren, Joshua (DeAnna) Rhine, Felicia (Shane) Tennyson, Emily (Jared) Sledge, Michelle (Tom) Paulson, Kaleb Rath, Ben (Jessica) Wills, Autumn (Guy) Kuhn, Allison (Josh) Jackson, Brian Heinz, Danielle (Paul) Rhine, Amanda Rhine, Cory Rhine, and Natalie Gee; nineteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gene Rhine of Eldorado, Clark (Sarah) Rhine of Eldorado; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Kathryn Rhine; one son, Craig Rhine; and one grandson, Zack Roberts. Funeral services for Mr. Rodell M. Rhine will be at 12:00 noon Sunday, March 30, 2014 in the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church in Cobden with Rev. Bob Fear officiating. Interment will be in the Rhine Cemetery in Raleigh, IL with graveside military rites conducted by the Illinois Army National Guard Military Honors Team of Marion. Friends may call after 11:00 a.m. and until the service hour at 12:00 noon on Sunday, March 30, 2014 in the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church in Cobden. Memorial contributions may be made to the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at the church and at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Visitation Service Sunday, March 30, 2014,11:00AM-12:00PM Walnut Grove United Methodist Church Cobden, IL 62920 Memorial/Funeral Service Sunday, March 30, 2014,12:00PM Walnut Grove United Methodist Church Cobden, IL 62920