Dent Miner Rhodes

EAST PEORIA – Professor Dent Miner Rhodes, 92, went to be with his Savior and LORD, with gratitude and anticipation on September 7, 2026. He had been a resident of East Peoria, Illinois, since 2009, having moved there shortly after his retirement from ISU.

He was born the 11th of August 1934, in Massillon, Ohio, to H.B. and Ester Francis Milner-Rhodes, both educators and graduates of OSU.

Surviving are his wife of 38 years, the Rev. Dr. Cheryl Diane Pinkney Rhodes; his sister, Patricia Ann Rhodes-Goolsbey (John) of MA; his children, Dr. Laurel Rhodes (MT), Christopher (Erlinda) of IL and Dennis (Jeanne) of WI; his grandchildren, Leah (CO), Benjamin, Nicholas and Chas (IL), Joseph (WI), Natalie (CA) and Meghan (MT).

The Professor was a graduate of Barnesville High (1952) and The OSU (BA, 1956; B. SC. 1958; M.S. 1960; Ph. D. 1965). He taught for 46 ½ years: first at Junction City, Homer and Shaker Heights, OH; then at OSU and finally at ISU, retiring as the longest serving faculty member at the time. He contributed to 40 published articles, wrote 61 presentations, created 24 courses, and was instrumental in developing the ED D and The D A doctoral programs. The Professor chaired 2 masters’ thesis and 62 doctoral dissertations, a record unsurpassed in his lifetime.

Dent was highly respected across the English-speaking world, by those who were not jealous of him. Students, wanting to learn, loved and respected him, passing to their students what they had learned from him. He fought a good fight, finished his course, kept the faith, and will receive a crown of righteousness, from the Righteous Judge, with all those who love His appearing. (2 Time 4:7 &8)

Cremation rites have been accorded.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.