Donald "Buzzy" Elmer Rhines

Donald Elmer “Buzzy” Rhines, a good man, age 88, went to heaven on Saturday, October 26, 2019, at the Edgewood Convalescent Home in Edgewood, Iowa. Buzzy was born on the family farm near Edgewood on November 14, 1930. His parents were Donald and Clara (Shaw) Rhines. He graduated from Edgewood High School in 1948 and attended Upper Iowa University.

Buzzy married Ilo M. Rowell on May 17, 1950, at the Edgewood Congregational Church. To this union they have six children.

Buzzy farmed the family farm all his life and worked as a mechanic. He was active and supportive of the Boy Scouts, Edgewood-Colesburg Schools, Knights of Pythias, Masons, Eastern Star, Shriners, Clayton County Genealogical Society and Cemetery Restoration, Edgewood Cemetery Board, National Farmers Organization, and the Greeley Meal Site. He was also a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Buzzy is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ilo; his six children, Chris (Ron) Harwood of Arlington, Cindy (Jim) Freiburger of Delhi, Reed (Kathy) Rhines of Manchester, Tina (Dennis) Nieland of Elkader, Timothy (Marge) Rhines of Edgewood, and Joe (Tabatha) Rhines of Edgewood; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a sister, Jeanine Rodas of Elkader; a brother-in-law, Clay Ash of Vinton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Buzzy was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, June Miller and Wanda Ash; two brothers-in-law, Marvin Rodas and Jack Miller; and many other loved ones.

We will miss him. Love you Dad!

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