Robert Rhea

Robert Perry Rhea, 95, of Yates Center died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2009, at Coffey County Hospital in Burlington.
He was born Dec. 3, 1914, in Rural Woodson County, the son of Robert Walter and Ina M. (Watts) Rhea. He graduated from Yates Center High School and attended Emporia State University.
On Feb. 11, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He attained the rank of staff sergeant before his honorable discharge on Jan. 23, 1946.
On Nov. 20, 1948, he married Betty Eloise Starks. She died June 20, 1995.
He was a rancher for many years before he became owner of Rhea’s Sundries in Gridley, which he had for several years before beginning employment with Farm Bureau Insurance in Yates Center. He was the local Farm Bureau agent for numerous years, then worked at Yates Center High School until his retirement.
He was an active member of the local Gilead Masonic Lodge No. 144 in Yates Center where he was a master Mason. He was also a member of Scottish Rite, Mirza Shrine Temple, Little Wheels, Mini B’s and MG Shrine units. He was involved with Hospital Dads and was a member of Yates Center Lions Club, Yates Center Chamber of Commerce, Yates Center Volunteer Fire Department and a lifetime member of Woodson County Historical Society.
He is survived by one son, Larry and his wife, Vera, Jefferson City, Mo.; two daughters, Anita DeLaTorre and her husband, Michael, Chanute, and Bobbi Shahan and her husband Charles, Yates Center; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Myron “Mike”; and four nephews and two nieces.
Two sisters, Nadine Davidson and Mildred Knox, died earlier.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Yates Center.
Visitation will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Campbell Funeral Home.
Memorials to First United Methodist Church or Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.