Eloise Larene (Rhodes) Valinet

Eloise Larene (Rhodes) Valinet, 98, passed away at The Gathering Together in Plainfield IN on December 29, 2021.

Eloise was born in French Lick, IN on August 22,1923, the second of three children born to Farwell and Larene (Davies) Rhodes.  She attended Franklin College and enjoyed a long career as a sought-after executive secretary.  She married Stanley Valinet and had a son, Greg, as well as a stepson, Steve (Charlene) and a stepdaughter, Pam.

In 2018, Eloise came to be the only permanent resident of The Gathering Together, a home for the dying that she helped establish in 2001 and served as the first Board President of the fledgling ministry.  In the past 3-1/2 years she has gathered about her a following of friends and caregivers who have fallen madly in love with her.  Nobody came to The Gathering Together without a hug and a visit with Eloise.  She is already sorely missed.

Eloise had a great zest for life.  Her laughter was infectious, and she enjoyed regaling her friends with tales of life and truths of The Word.  She had three great passions:  Bridge, cats, and the Word of God.  An exceptional Bridge enthusiast, she played until her memory suffered.  Her kittens…all kittens…delighted her and she monitored visits from neighborhood kitty hoodlums as she reigned from her chair overlooking the garden.  Their interactions with birds and squirrels were especially stimulating.

What can be said about her love for her Father God, her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?  Hers was a long and deep relationship that brought her peace and comfort as she became less mobile and verbal.  She would tirelessly listen to the spoken Word and follow along in the open Bible before her.

Two verses tell of this 98-year-old grand lady’s life:

“Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against Thee.”  Psalm 119:11

“Well done, good and faithful servant!  …  Come and share your Master’s happiness.”  Matthew 25:23

The first sustained her throughout her long life and the second comforted her as she gently went to be with the Lord.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Rhys Rhodes and Farwell Rhodes, Jr., and Stanley Valinet.  She is survived by her son, Greg A. Valinet; stepchildren, Steve and Pam; nieces and nephews, Martha Rhodes, Charles “Rocky” Rhodes, Leslie Rowland and Matthew Rhodes; as well as many other beloved extended family and friends.

Calling will be held from 11am until 1pm, Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250, where funeral services will immediately follow beginning at 1pm.  Burial will follow services at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

The funeral service may be viewed virtually by clicking HERE.

A Celebration of Eloise’s Life will be held at a later date.  Please check The Gathering Together website at www.TheGatheringTogether.org for further details once they become available.

Donations in her honor may be made to The Gathering Together, 147 N Center Street, Plainfield, IN  46168.