Gary Charles Rhodes

Gary Charles Rhodes

A Man With A Zest For Life -

Gary Charles Rhodes, 82, passed away on December 31, 2021 after several months battling severe health issues. He was born on July 25, 1939 in Oberlin, PA, in his grandmother’s home. Gary grew up in Shipoke, Harrisburg, and attended Trinity Lutheran Church, formerly located on 9th Street, before moving to Colonial Park. He graduated from John Harris High School in Harrisburg, PA in 1957.

Gary retired from Security Savings Systems after 43 years of service in 2007. He started as an Apprentice Printer with them in 1964 and worked his way up to the position of Production Manager/Shop Foreman. Before working at SSS, he worked for Harry Cramer Oldsmobile in Steelton, PA, Welsh Brothers Printing in Harrisburg, PA, and Center Square Press in Mechanicsburg, PA.

Over the course of his life, Gary lived in Camp Hill on Orchard Road, in Dillsburg in Memford Estates, in Enola on Susquehanna Avenue and most recently in Mechanicsburg in Westfields.  Gary loved car racing, football, cars, motorcycles, guns, and Jesus. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and a former body builder (he trained at York Barbell). Gary was a member of Christ Community Church since 1978.

Gary was preceded in death by: his father, Howard Charles Rhodes of Steelton, PA; his mother, Ruth (Firestone) Rhodes, Ladd of Phoenix, AZ; his brother, Wesley Howard Rhodes of Harrisburg, PA; his sister, Jacquelyn (Shoop) Shaffer, Musser of Scottsdale, AZ; his first wife, Charlotte (Brubaker) Rhodes, Books; and his second wife, Gladys Rhodes.

He is survived by his daughters Carol Rhodes-O’Brien (husband George O’Brien) of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Gwyn (Rhodes) Binner of Enola, PA; grandchildren Ethan Rhodes-O’Brien, Emerald Rhodes-O’Brien, Zandy (Binner) Ford (husband Andrew Ford), and Devin Binner (partner Megan Reese) of Green Bay, WI; great-granddaughter Brayleigh Binner also of Green Bay, WI; sister Donna (Rhodes) Osler (husband George Osler) of Phoenix, AZ; Step-children Barry A. Pannebaker (wife Rosalie), Earl L. Pannebaker, JoAnn K. Mihelarakis (husband Daniel), Diana G. Shreve, (partner Steve), Linda P. Cobaugh (husband Tim), and Mark E. Heffner; step-grandchildren Laura Piskula, Rebecca Pannebaker, Tim Pannebaker, Jeff Pannebaker, Casey Mihelarakis, Jay Mihelarakis, Keli Celot, Andrea Cobaugh, Sarah Smith, Heather Froehlich; and 14 step great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by several cousins, many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. Gary loved all the members of his family dearly.

He leaves behind his beloved and constant companion, Pretty Boy, a Maine Coon cat that God brought to his back door as a stray. Pretty Boy brought much love, affection, devotion, and companionship to Gary over the last 4 years. Pretty Boy has accepted grandson Ethan Rhodes-O’Brien as his new caretaker.

A celebration of Gary’s life is scheduled for Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Christ Community Church. You are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m., and to enjoy a reception luncheon immediately following the service. Christ Community Church is located at 1201 Slate Hill Rd, Camp Hill, PA 17011.

Gary’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Gary’s full obituary, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com