June 8, 1916 - June 2, 2013

Rhoda Elisabeth (Moore) Celestino went to the arms of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on June 2, 2013, in Coeur d’Alene. Rhoda was born at home on the family farm near the town of Dublin, in Bucks County, Pa., and was raised in the Mennonite Church. She was the last of five children born to Henry and Mary Ellen Moore.

She enjoyed fond memories of life on the beautiful farm with the old-fashioned ways of earlier America. Rhoda witnessed the gradual changes new inventions made to their everyday lives during the early and mid years of the 1900s. She loved school, especially reading and always collected outstanding Christian books and historical and educational materials. She graduated with top honors from high school and also played the piano for many events.

When Rhoda was 21 she sincerely understood the simple Gospel message of God’s wondrous plan of salvation through the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus Christ for our sins. Believing in the risen Lord, she invited Him in her heart and life to be her own Lord and Saviour. Having a strong desire to dedicate her life to serve the Lord, she prepared by earnestly studying the Bible and seeking God’s will for her life.

Soon she met Pasquale Celestino who shared the same desire to be in full time Christian ministry. They were married in 1937 and continued to prepare for ministry while starting a family. In 1947 they went to the Ozark Mountains as Baptist missionaries, restarting church services in rural communities, holding Bible classes in dozens of small country schoolhouses, beginning Vacation Bible Schools during the summers, and working with the local Youth for Christ groups.

Rhoda and Pat raised six children, served in various areas and located in Western Montana and North Idaho where they continued their ministry. In the 1960s the family lived on Staten Island, N.Y., and after they returned to her birthplace community for several years, she received her Licensed Practical Nurse’s Certificate. Having a love to help others through Christian ministry and the nursing profession. She later became a Respiratory Therapist, working at Firlands Sanitarium in Seattle and Northwest Hospital where she worked for 20 years until her retirement in the 1980s. At that time she then moved to Coeur d’Alene where she lived until her death.

After retirement from nursing, Rhoda established Sunday services in many local nursing homes, served as a helper and driver at the Senior Center, assisted elderly friends with their needs, made more than 200 baby blankets for church families and crisis pregnancy centers. She taught weekly ladies Bible studies in her home for 20 years, stressing sound Bible doctrine and earnest study of both the Old and New Testaments.

Her deep passion was to share the Gospel with Jewish people and show them out of the Scriptures that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah and Saviour of Isaiah 53 and Daniel 9. Her sincere prayers touched the heart of all who knew her and she will be greatly missed by her family, friends and church. She was a founding member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Hayden.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pat; three daughters, Carma Muntz, Rowena Bobna and Anita Clestino; and son-in-law, Wendell Little. She is survived by daughter Twila Little and sons, Curtis (Patricia) Celestino and John (Christine) Celestino, three grandchildren, Cyndi (Jason) Bodnar, Cory Celestino and Nicole Celestino; and three great-grandchildren, Justin and Katie Bodnar, and Kiara Celestino.

Special thanks are sent to Rhoda’s doctors, nurses, CNA’s, and the LaCrosse Care Center for their dedication and compassionate care of Rhoda.

Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Rhoda’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.

Suggested contributions given in Rhoda’s memory may be sent to her church, The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (www.foi.org), Child Evangelism Fellowship (www.cefonline.com) or the Union Gospel Mission (ugmspokane.org).

A viewing will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, June 8, 2013, at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 3983 West Prairie Ave., Hayden, with funeral services following at 11 a.m. Pastor Daniel Perry will officiate.