Karen June Rhoda, nee Myrick, 76, of Smithton, Illinois, born February 12, 1949 in Sikeston, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her residence on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

Karen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.  She spent her life being a homemaker for her husband and two daughters.

Many years of her life were spent on the ball fields supporting her daughters play softball. Once the girls softball days were over, she spent her days cheering on the sidelines of her two grandsons baseball and football games. She loved to camp, fish and play cards with their lifelong best friends and family.

She also had a love of shopping and made friends everywhere she went. She loved Elvis and could tell you everything about him.

She was the happiest when she was with her family.  They were her whole world.

While all those she leaves behind will feel an extreme absence, there is comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her lifetime love of 53 years.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, John Rhoda; her parents, Raymond and Pearly, nee Riley, Rhoda; a brother, Coy Myrick; and two sisters, Joyce Durbin and Peggy Schuerenbereg.

Surviving are her daughters, Sonja (Louis) Garza of Waterloo, IL and Anissa (Rick) Pearce of Smithton, IL; a brother, Arnold (Sue) Myrick of Sikeston, MO; grandchildren, Anthony (Claire) Garza, Alexander (Josie Harris) Garza;; and a great grandson, Baylor John Garza; her granddogs, Zeke and Piper; and her great granddogs, Remi and Speckles.  She was also a dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois. A Memorial Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.