Rhonda Elizabeth Rudolph-Strickland

RUDOLPH-STRICKLAND

            Rhonda Elizabeth Rudolph-Strickland, 56, of London, died unexpectedly Sunday, October 15, 2023, in Grant Medical Center.

            Born January 14, 1967, in Columbus, she was a daughter of Gary Rudolph and Elizabeth (Fields). She decided to come way early with organs on the outside of her little body. She had spent the better part of her first year or more in the hospital being poked, cut up, and sewn back together. They spoiled her because it’s all you can do with a very sick little baby. She was 12 weeks pre-mature in 1967 - one of the only surviving babies that young at the time. As such, she became the subject of science that saved her life, and probably that of many premature babies to come.

            Like most women in her family, she was spicy and a bit reckless, which caused her trouble that she wholeheartedly embraced. Maybe she knew she was on borrowed time because she was absolutely fearless. Still, she had the good fortune of bringing into the world another firecracker, her daughter Alexa, much like her, only healthier and therefore a little more measured in her life’s decisions. Rhonda also became a grandmother to Paisleigh, who instantly became the light of her life and captivated much of her time.

            Rhonda adored animals, especially her dogs and cats at the home she shared with Wes. They bought the property as a fixer upper, and she had so many plans to make their house into a home. While their kitchen was demoed, she and Wes enjoyed their dinners out being self-proclaimed food critics, along with their lifelong friends Mike and Angela Underhill. 

            Rhonda loved her friends dearly. She particularly enjoyed hanging out with her neighbor Rhonda Long, indulging in girl talk and laughing about any and everything. She also would frequently visit her dear friends Trish in Columbus and Lisa in Florida. Rhonda always loved the time they were able to spend together and leaves behind many fond memories to cherish.

            She had an eye for beauty and loved gardening and tending to her flowers, but keeping with her firecracker personality, she enjoyed watching extreme weather whenever it would grace her presence. One of Rhonda’s favorite pastimes included floating and lounging in her pool, and you practically had to drag her out just to get her to do anything. Both Rhonda and her mother loved the ocean for the soothing peace it brings. Now they are reunited and enjoying family, sunshine, ocean waves and their own salty laughs together!

            Rhonda is survived by her husband of 27 years Wes Strickland; daughter Alexa Mackey; granddaughter Paisleigh Hodge; stepfather Don Cole; brother Brent Rudolph; nephews Nolan Rudolph, Breydon Rudolph, Haldon Rudolph, Matthew Smith, Jr. and Elijah Smith; mother-in-law Dolly Strickland; sister-in-law Janelle Rudolph; brothers-in-law Matthew Smith and Michael (Kelly) Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents Gary Rudolph and Elizabeth Cole.

            The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, October 22, 2023, from 2:00 – 5:00 PM in the EBERLE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 103 North Main Street, London, Ohio. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Monday, October 23, 2023, beginning at 11:00 AM with Deacon Dan Hann officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Grove Cemetery, Plain City. Following the interment, friends are invited to attend a time of remembrance and fellowship at the home of her dear friend Rhonda Long, 5280 Glade Run Road, London, Ohio 43140.  

            Condolences for the family are encouraged to be shared online at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rhonda Elizabeth Rudolph-Strickland, please visit our floral store.