Sheila T. Rhoades

Sheila T. Rhoades, age 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 11, 2020 with family close by her bedside after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.  Sheila was born on May 5, 1940 in Bay City, Michigan to Kenneth J. Tennant and Julia (Donovan) Tennant, who were married in Cleveland and later moved to Bay City to operate the family business and start a family.  Sheila is the middle daughter of five children; older brother Terry, Maryann, Kay and John.  The family resided near Saginaw Bay and spent many summers at Higgins Lake, a place the entire family still considers home.

Sheila graduated from St. John Catholic School in Essexville, MI in 1958, and later graduated from Saginaw Valley State University (formerly Delta College), studying early childhood education. Sheila married John E. D. Boudler of Mt. Pleasant, MI in December of 1960 and moved to Norman, Oklahoma.  Sheila and John raised two sons, Jack and Morgan. During her first marriage, husband John’s career required frequent business travel and many relocations during their 27-year marriage. Sheila established and maintained the homestead, serving as the firm foundation of the home and family in 6 different cities including Milford, CT, Washington, DC, York, PA and Flemington NJ.  The family eventually settled in Indianapolis in 1977, to be closer to family and friends in the Midwest.  Sheila was a wonderful mother and homemaker juggling all activities and sports transportation duties for her sons while remaining involved in PTA and charitable organizations.

Sheila was very talented both as a singer and dancer from a young age.   She played leading roles in numerous school, church and choir performances, also dancing the lead in performances of Swan Lake and other ballets.  Sheila was chosen from 34 nominees for the honor of the first Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Queen in 1955.  Sheila was selected as “Miss St. Lawrence Seaway” for Bay County’s celebration of the opening of the Seaway in 1959.  Her duties involved travel across the Northeast and Midwest to publicize new commerce opportunities for the Great Lakes Region.

In 1989, while attending the wedding of her colleague, Kelly, Sheila met Kelly’s new widowed father-in-law, William (Bill) Rhoades of Des Moines, IA. Bill had two sons, Mike, who was Kelly’s husband and Bill who was attending medical school in the greater Chicago area. Bill and Sheila were married in 1990 and settled in a beautiful home in Des Moines. In the early 1990s, they moved to Hoffman Estates, IL in suburban Chicago for better career opportunities and to be closer to family.  In Chicago, their home on a golf course, offered ideal entertainment and recreational options.  While Bill’s professional life flourished, Sheila worked as a highly regarded Executive Assistant at the Sears Roebuck World Headquarters in Hoffman Estates.

In 2001, Bill and Sheila retired and sold their golf community home, seeking a more temperate climate in central Arkansas in the resort community of Hot Springs Village (HSV).  Life in the village allowed frequent golf and outdoor activities almost year round.  Shelia was very involved in church activities, choir and was a significant performer and contributor to the Village Players, a performance based club within HSV.

As active retirees, Bill and Sheila enjoyed extensive travel, visiting Scotland, Ireland, Hawaii, Alaska, Yellowstone National Park, San Diego, many Florida destinations and even New York for Broadway performances.  Throughout their retirement, Bill and Sheila often traveled to the Midwest to visit and stay with each of their four children and nine grandchildren during the summer months.  As part of their strong Christian faith, Sheila and Bill went on a significant guided tour of Israel and The Holy Land in 2011.

One of the most rewarding roles of Sheila’s life was that of mother and grandmother.  She was beloved and caring to all of her grandchildren and was particularly honored to have been able to help with Bill’s grandchildren who never got to meet or know his late wife.

Sheila really loved her dogs, always had one with her and treated them as part of the family. Of particular note she had two brindle boxers at different times in her life, named Mariah. For Sheila to have a house without a dog, would be like a garden without flowers.

Sheila is survived by her brothers, Terry (Mary) Tennant and John Tennant (Huntington Woods, MI); her sister, Kay Tennant (Linthicum Heights, MD); her two sons, Jack (Deborah) Boudler of Fishers, IN; granddaughter, Haley, grandson, John; and Morgan (Noelle) Boudler of Ft. Wayne, IN; grandson, Zachary.  Dr. Bill (Kathy) Rhoades of Highland Park, IL (Emily, Alice and Grace) and Kelly Rhoades of Indianapolis, IN (Ryan, Adam and Will).

Sheila was preceded in death by her second husband of 26 years, William D. Rhoades and first husband John E. D. Boudler; sister, Maryann Tennant (McCoy); and stepson, Michael Rhoades.

Calling hours will be from 5pm until 7pm on Friday, December 18, 2020 at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel, 325 East Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day starting at 12pm on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist Catholic Church, 10350 Glaser Way, Fishers, IN 46037.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sheila’s honor to Catholic Charities USA, 2050 Ballenger Ave Suite 400 Alexandria, VA 22314 or by clicking HERE; and Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter, 50 E 91st St, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240 or by clicking HERE.