Manford T. Rhea, 92, of Steelville, MO passed away Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Gibbs Care Center in Steelville. He was born April 4, 1918 in Purdy, MO to James S. Rhea and Lela Henderson Rhea. On August 25, 1941 in Springfield, MO, he was united in marriage to Nancy Patrica (Wilkins) Rhea who preceded him in death on July 12, 2006. Manford grew up in Purdy, Missouri and later moved with his famiy to Seneca, Missouri where he graduated from high school. He attended Southwest Missouri State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. After college, he moved to Humansville and taught school for one year and then made another move to Steelville where he taught Band and Chorus. It was here that he met his future bride, Nancy Wilkins. After teaching four years and getting married, he went into the Army-Air Corps where he became a pilot and a Captain. After spending approximately four years in the service, he and Nancy moved back to Steelville where they would raise their two children and spend the rest of their lives. Manford then went to work for his father-in-law, J.R. Wilkins at the Hardwood Charcoal Company where he worked for twenty years. In 1964, he became an insurance agent and would continue that profession for over forty years until later when he spent most of his time caring for his wife when she became ill. He was a deacon and music director for the choir at the First Baptist Church in Steelville for fifty years alongside his wife, Nancy, as she played the organ. Manford was very active in the local community and was involved in the Chamber of Commerce, the Steelville School Board, became one of the first board members in 1978 of Golden Echoes Center and the first president of the board for Gibbs Care Center. Manford enjoyed playing tennis and going skiing with Nancy to Colorado for many years, but most of all he loved his famiy and he loved the Lord. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his son, Hal Rhea and wife Connie of St. James, MO; his daughter, Rebecca "Becky" Smelser of Vidalia, GA; four grandchildren, Susan Goudie and husband Owen, Amy Arens and husband Jason, Jim Rhea and wife Melissa and Judith Smelser and husband Steve Mort; six great-grandchildren, Sean Tipton, Cuillian Tipton, Jonathan Arens, Logan Arens, Weston Rhea and Cadence Rhea; one sister-in-law, Adine Rhea of Cooter, MO; nieces, Ann Nelms and husband Gary, Jane Bishop and husband Jerry, Marilyn Stevens and Kathy Robinson and husband Gary; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancy; one brother, Hal Rhea; and one sister, Barbara Baker and husband Loren. Visitation was from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral service was at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 7, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Steelville, MO with Rev. Jesse Parrott and Rev. Kevin Farr officiating. Special music of "Victory in Jesus" was sang by Rob Housewright, Kay Housewright, Joyce Vaughn and Bryan Taylor. The First Baptist Choir sung "It Is Well With My Soul" accompanied by Connie Rhea on piano and led by Hal Rhea. "Great is Thy Faithfulness" was sang by Bryan Taylor accompanied by Jan Weisel on piano. Reflections of Manford's life were shared by Jim Barksdale. Prelude was played by Wanda Ransom and postlude was played by Sara Brownsworth and Amy Housewright. Committal prayer, burial and full military honors were in the Steelville Cemetery. Honored to be casket bearers were Robert Housewright, Jim Barksdale, Floyd Reed, Kent Howald, Bill Freeman, Bryan Taylor, Jim Vaughn and Ken Halbert. Serving as honorary casket bearers were Jim Bartlow, John Britton, Ken Brown, Art Cook, Charles Chipman, Warren Hendrix, Art Howarld, Ed Jones, Bob Midgett, Scott Stice, Jeff Tolly and Tom Weisel. The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Stellville, MO.