Leann Marie Halfast Rhoades

A team of loving family, friends and supporters said goodbye to a uniquely wonderful, energetic, full of life and love, truly beautiful and delight to all who knew her person on November 1, 2014.

LeAnn Marie Halfast Rhoades brought joy in the form of a fabulous smile and contagious laugh as well as a generous and loving heart to everyone.

LeAnn was born on August 11, 1975 which was her parents second wedding anniversary. She was the beautiful daughter of LeRoy L. And Susan G. Halfast of Old Route 77 Spartansburg.

She loved going to grade school at Spartansburg elementary and graduated from Corry High School in 1993. She received her associates degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Titusville in 1995, her bachelors degree from Edinboro University in 1997 and her masters degree in business administration from Gannon University in 1999. She had worked at Dutch Treat Restaurant in Spartansburg, Peekn Peak, Gannon Small Business Development Center, Chippers Pub, for Sen. Bob Robbins, the Board of Probation and Parole in Harrisburg, and lastly at Meadville Forging Company.

LeAnn was always adventurous and never afraid to try anything from whitewater rafting to skydiving and was an accomplished triathlete. She worked hard and played harder. There was a minute she had something in it. She loved working and teaching at the YMCA Meadville. She loved her coworkers and students whom she called 'her girls' and also a few fellas. She made everyone feel special. Being physically fit and exercising were passions of hers as well as tractor pulling, hunting, camping, cooking, singing karaoke, football (Cowboys), baseball (Yankees), NASCAR (Dale Jr), NHRA (John Force), movies, and especially being with family and friends.

LeAnn was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather Andrew Szewczuk Jr. and grandmother Naomi J. Huff Doutt and her paternal grandparents Raymond J. and Irene 'Audrey' Halfast.

In addition to her parents, LeAnn is survived by a brother Jason D. Halfast and his wife Angela Jodean 'Jodi' Frisina Halfast and nephews Cole Douglas and Garrett Joseph Halfast, whom she loved and adored, of Corry. Her loving and supportive husband of 8 years, Michael A. Rhoades of Guys Mills, took wonderful care of her throughout her illness. They were married July 22, 2006 at the 'Kissing Bridge' covered bridge. She also had many in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins who also meant so much to her.

LeAnn courageously battled cancer, being first diagnosed in 2009. She put up with the best that medical science could come up with and was very thankful to the caring, supportive and loving doctors and nurses. She demonstrated each day that she wasnt a quitter and fearlessly fought for her life. Her group, 'The Pink Racks', raised money for John Kanzius Cancer Research, hoping to see his treatment help to conquer cancer for good for all the countless warriors of this disease. LeAnn and Michael recently had a party to celebrate and remember her life and to express their immense gratitude to everyone for being so kind, generous, loving and supportive to them - her 'Team LeAnn'.

Family and friends are invited to call from 1-3 and 5-8 on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville. Private funeral services will be held on Thursday with Pastor Robert E. Esh of Valley View Mennonite Church, Spartansburg, officiating.

LeAnn will be laid to rest in Rosehill Cemetery, Spartansburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Pink Racks C/O Louann Pike, 44782 Old Rt. 77, Spartansburg, PA 16434 or the Meadville YMCA, 356 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335.

In the spirit of LeAnn Rhoades, please remember to smile, laugh, expressed gratitude, share a complement and never stop loving unconditionally.

Share your condolences at www.miznerfuneralhome.com