Parents Father: COOPER, Cornelius Karel Mother: MAGILL, Elleta Willett Birth Born on April 17, 1927 in Muskegon, Muskegon Co., MI Death Died on November 17, 2023 in Jackson, Jackson Co., MI Buried in Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, Berrien Co., MI Marriages RHODES, Ralph Jackson BECKWITH, Roscoe Vern Children RHODES, Daniel RHODES, Linda: August 18, 1950 Notes Obituary: Elleta Beckwith, 96, of Jackson, Mich., passed away peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2023. Elleta was born on April 17, 1927, to Elleta Willett Cooper and Cornelius Karl Cooper in Muskegon, Mich. Throughout her life, Elleta's warm smile and spirited presence helped her easily form friendships and meaningful connections with seemingly everyone who crossed her path. She doted on her family and was a tireless caretaker of others, often under challenging conditions. She played a significant role in raising her four younger siblings (Mary Ann, Paul, Peter, and Richard), who preceded her in death. After graduating from high school, she fell in love with and married Ralph Jackson "Dusty" Rhodes, a young returning WW2 army officer. They moved to St. Joseph, Mich., where Dusty became a senior executive for the Whirlpool Corporation. Elleta and Dusty infused their children Dan and Linda's lives with laughter, vibrancy, and a love of learning, along with many joyful days at the beach on Lake Michigan. Too soon, Elleta lovingly cared for Dusty during the long illness that preceded his death in 1972. Later in life, she found new happiness and adventures with her second husband, Vern Beckwith. They lived together in La Mesa, Calif., and in their beachfront community near Ensenada, Mexico, where Elleta's sister Mary Ann and brother Richard also had family homes nearby. They eventually settled in Jackson, Mich., where Elleta helped fill her granddaughters' childhood with love and playfulness. She was preceded in death by her husband Vern; daughter Linda Maynard and son-in-law Patrick Maynard; and parents Elleta and Cornelius. A private interment was held at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, Mich. Jackson Citizen Patriot Jackson,MI December 1,2023 Sources Newspaper Obituary: Jackson Citizen Patriot Jackson,MI December 1,2023 Images Elleta (Cooper) Beckwith