Geraldine “Jeri” LaVerne Rhoades
Geraldine “Jeri” LaVerne Rhoades, 92, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, formerly of Pulaski County, passed away Sunday, Feb.11. She was born on April 18, 1931, in Chicago to Maurice John and Bertha Amelia (Stadt) Danaher. She attended high school in Palos Park, Illinois and later attended Ancilla College where she studied bookkeeping/accounting.
Jeri loved the restaurant business. She worked at many restaurants in Winamac including, owning Jeri’s Place; managing: The Indian Head, The Colonial Inn, and The Country View (Logansport) Restaurants (all owned by her sister, Mary Crawford). Also, waitressing at The Chuck Wagon, Fogarty’s, The Colonial Inn and The South 40.
She worked, in the 1970’s, at Aren’s Field airport in Winamac. She obtained her pilot’s license including instrument rating. She worked very hard at excelling as a pilot and often practiced her landings when there were crosswinds and other adverse weather conditions. She flew many Pulaski County residents for their first plane ride when Aren’s Field had “Penny-a-Pound” plane rides during the annual Pancake and Sausage breakfast.
She enjoyed taking care of her farm animals. She adored her cats and dogs. Her most loved cat, Jack, preceded her in death.
Jeri spent her final years watching her beloved detective shows and working her cryptograms (to keep her memory sharp). She even memorized all the presidents and vice presidents in order! She had an amazing memory all the way up to the end. She loved talking about all her life’s memories, which her family loved hearing!
Survivors include children: Russ [Cirlee] Taff Sr, Philippines, Mike [Cecilia] Leazenby, Oklahoma, Jackie [Dan] Ashcom, Pennsylvnia, Matthew Leazenby, Oklahoma and Janice [Derek Pavy] Hoesel, Indiana; grandchildren: Russ Taff Jr., Angela Crawford, Ronnie Leazenby, Cecilia Leazenby, Michelle Leazenby, Mikey Leazenby, Becky Leazenby, Keith Cramer; many great and great-great grandchildren; siblings: Patricia Ringen, Indiana and Robert Danaher, Arizona.
Preceded in death by children: infant Teresa Leazenby, Keith Leazenby; siblings: James Danaher, Maurice Danaher, Dorothy Sippel, Bernice Myers, Mary Crawford; two granddaughters and one great-grandson.
There will be no services per Jeri’s wishes.
(Pulaski County Journal — Feb. 28, 2024)