James “Jim” Leon Rhodes (84) of Mason

James “Jim” Leon Rhodes, 84, of Mason, IL, passed away at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, December 27, 2018 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 4, 2019 at Watson United Methodist Church in Watson. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday prior to the service at the church. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to E.A.R.S. or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Jim was born on December 29, 1933, in Christian County, IL, the son of Joseph and Clara (Stephens) Rhodes. He married Doris Jean Fecho on April 10, 1955 in Kincaid, IL. He was a very active man during his lifetime. He was an accomplished professional photographer, directed the Effingham County Fair Queen Contest, was the president of the local Jaycees, taught oil painting in the surrounding seven counties for Senior Citizens at their buildings, operated a shop at Six Flags in St. Louis as a ring maker, was an avid rock collector, and travelled the entire United States during his later years. But the joy of his life was his granddaughter, Amanda Jean, when they were playing games and pretending of the many adventures they were having as Jim Bridger and Puncher in the tree house he built for her.

Jim is survived by his wife, Doris; daughter Athena Haynes (husband, Mickey) of Mason; granddaughter, Amanda Jean Wolf (husband, Kent) of Mason; brother, Carroll (wife, Janet) of Taylorville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Clara Rhodes; siblings, Maxine Foutch, Delbert Rhodes, Jerry Rhodes, and Micky Rhodes.