Hoopeston woman remembered for love of animals, dedication as McDonald’s manager | News

HOOPESTON — Animal lover Sara Rhodes was doing the thing she loved most when she died in an accident July 31 in rural Milford.

Ms. Rhodes, 64, who served as manager of the Hoopeston McDonald’s for about 24 years, was known for rescuing animals.

“She was an unstoppable force. She was one in a million,” said Kathleen Orcutt, adoptions manager at the Vermilion County Animal Shelter

Orcutt knew Ms. Rhodes for about 10 years and volunteered with her at the Hoopeston animal shelter.

“She fostered lots of dogs and did transports,” Orcutt said.

She was coming home from a transport Wednesday when the accident occurred.

Ms. Rhodes was off work July 31 and her previous foster dog had been adopted, so she picked up two dogs at the Vermilion County Animal Shelter and took them to Naperville. On her way home, she was involved in a two-vehicle accident that killed her and her new foster dog, Tootsie.

Volunteer shelter drivers take animals that picked for rescue to corresponding rescue shelters.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Orcutt, who added that Ms. Rhodes died “doing what she lived to do.”

Ms. Rhodes did animal transports all the time, Orcutt said, traveling as far as Texas.

“She’s done this millions of times. She was like the Energizer Bunny,” Orcutt added. “She did a little bit of everything.”

Shelters all over the area will feel the loss, she said.

“We’re all heartbroken and in shock,” Orcutt said. “It’s such a huge loss. She was an unstoppable force and she had a great sense of humor. I’m devastated she’s gone.”

Ms. Rhodes was all about animal welfare and helping anybody any way she could, Orcutt said. She said the last time she talked to her was on Wednesday, when Ms. Rhodes told her that Tootsie had eaten her breakfast sandwich and she was going to stop and get another one.

McDonald’s owner Deanna Witzel said Ms. Rhodes was a big part of their McDonald’s family. She had worked for McDonald’s prior to when the Witzels moved to the area and bought the restaurant 25 years ago, working her way up from crew to manager.

Witzel said they brought her back as a manager when they were looking for someone with customer-service skills. She said a customer told them they needed to get Ms. Rhodes back, and they did the next day.

Witzel too said animals and animal rescues were Rhodes’ passion.

“That was her. It was a part of who she was,” Witzel said.

She will be missed greatly, Witzel said.

“She’s a staple here,” Witzel said.

The Witzels were in Hoopeston on Aug. 1 meeting with their employees. Deanna Witzel said she was in shock when she learned the news.

Witzel said Ms. Rhodes made a difference in a lot of lives.

“She was just an amazing person,” Witzel said.