Rhea J. Taber

Rhea J. Taber, 93, of Atkinson, IL, passed away on March 8, 2023, at Hammond Henry Long Term Care-Geneseo. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory-Atkinson Chapel. A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 9:00 a.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Reverend S. Stephen Engelbrecht celebrating. She will be laid to rest at St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery-Atkinson. Memorials can be made in her name to Atkinson Fire and Rescue.

Rhea was born on May 15, 1929, to Jacob and Mary (Causemaker) VanOpdorp. She graduated 8th grade from St. Anthony Catholic School in 1943, and Atkinson High School in 1947. She married Gordon Taber Jr. on November 6, 1948. He preceded her in death in 2014. Rhea belonged to the St. Anthony Church Altar and Rosary Society, Resurrection funeral choir, Catholic Order of Foresters, American Legion Auxiliary, was an election judge, and a member of the Atkinson Women’s Organization. She was also a former member of Lady of the Moose, enjoyed crafts, and rolle-bolle. She loved to play cards with her Chit Chat Club.  

Those left to cherish her memory are children; Lynnette (Keith) Causemaker, Ken (Chris) Taber, Denise Park, Lisa (Frank) VerStraete; daughter-in-law, Deb Taber; sister, Marietta Vickroy; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-eight great grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; and nine great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Mary VanOpdorp; and her husband, Gordon Taber Jr.; son, Keith Taber; son-in-law, Jim Park; two sisters; and six brothers.