Belvidere, IllinoisWayne Arthur Rhode, 79, of Belvidere, IL died Thursday morning, February 4, 2010 in SwedishAmerican Hospital, Belvidere after a sudden illness. Wayne was born November 27, 1930 the son of Arthur and Rose (Behling) Rhode in Belvidere. He married the love of his life, Joanne Schwebke in Belvidere on September 12, 1959. Wayne farmed all his life, milking cows, hauling can milk , raising cattle and grain farming. Wayne was also a seed dealer for Crows Seed since 1972, the year his father passed away. Wayne's motto was "Go with the best!".Wayne was a life member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, a 4H leader earning a lifetime achievement award for his dedicated service, member of the Farm Service board, ConservFS board, Farm Bureau, the American Bowling Association., and was the Assistant Beef Superintendant at the Boone Co. Fair. Wayne loved all sports; He was one of the original Belvidere Buc Boosters and Buc fan and season ticket holder, never missing a game. He was a faithful Cardinal fan, Bear Fan, and Brett Farve fan. Wayne was athletically gifted and passed on his love for sports to his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play soccer, T-ball, basketball, bowling and tackle football. A member of the "Greatest Generation", Wayne proudly answered the call to duty by serving in the US Army as an aircraft mechanic.Survivors include his wife, Joanne; children, Michael (Jackie Johnson), Mark (Natalie) both of Belvidere, Marcia (Stuart) Schultz of Yukon, OK,; grandchildren, Michala and Carson Schultz, Nikolas, Lindsay and Elle Rhode; brothers Leslie (Betty Harris) Rhode, Dale (Marilyn) Rhode; sister, Darlene (Bob Moyer) Bicksler and many nieces and nephews. He predeceased by his parents; father and mother in-law Howard and Vera (Fidder) Schwebke; sister in-law Marilyn Rhode, brothers in-law John Bicksler, William and Kenneth Schwebke.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be given in care of Wayne's family.