Eugene Rexrode

Eugene Russell Rexrode, 85, of Blue Grass, died Sunday, February 15, 2004 at his home.

He was born December 29, 1918 at Blue Grass, a son of the late Russell Eugene and Sudie Simmons Rexrode.

Mr. Rexrode was a livestock farmer. He and his wife owned and operated the Highland Drive-In Theatre for 20 years. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star medal in the U.S. Army during World War II. He attended Blue Grass United Methodist Church and was a member of the Highland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4989, a lifetime member of the Franklin Moose Lodge and a member of the Highland County Farm Bureau.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Dayton and Kenton Rexrode.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ava Hylkema Rexrode, who is originally from Amsterdam, Holland; a daughter, Betty Constantine of Charlotte, N.C.; three sons, Dayton A. Rexrode of Baltimore, Md., Don L. Rexrode of Chicago, Ill. And Bob E. and his wife Jeannie Rexrode of Mount Solon; five grandchildren, Philip and Tara Constantine and Joshua, Jackie and Katie Rexrode; a great-grandson, Nicholas Halterman and a sister, Ruby Rexrode of Hightown.

A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 18, at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell by the Rev. Andre Crummett, the Rev. Richard Gibson and Dr. Daniel Freed.

Pallbearers were Kenny Leonard, Gary and Jim Jack, David Kiser, Paul Trible, Carl Lee Simmons, Olin Sponaugle, Julian Folks, Paxton Grant, Doug Largent, Harold Newman, Sam Ruckman and Ed Hannah.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Highland Medical Center, P.O. Box 490, Monterey, Va. 24465.