John Russell Rinker

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March 15, 2013

John Russell Rinker

---- ---- The Tribune Star Fri Mar 15, 2013, 05:00 AM EDT

TERRE HAUTE — A celebration of life service for John Russell Rinker, 81, of Lugoff, S.C., will be held at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Lugoff, on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at 1 p.m. The Rev. John W. Mims will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., today, March 15, 2013, at Kornegay Funeral Home, Lugoff-Elgin Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested for St. John’s United Methodist Church, PO Box 218, Lugoff, S.C. 29078 or to Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Columbia Office, 710 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032.

John R. Rinker passed on March 13, 2013, at KershawHealth in Camden, S.C. He was the son of Maurice M. and Mary Martz Rinker, born September 22, 1931 in Vincennes, Ind., He grew up in Terre Haute, Ind., and graduated from Garfield High School in 1949. John earned his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1953. A Fighter Pilot in the Air Force from ’53-’57, he flew F-86H jet fighters while serving under his squadron commander, Lt. Col. Chuck Yeager.

Following his military service, he began his Chemical Engineering career with DuPont in Chattanooga, Tenn., and came to Camden on the Planning Committee for the Nylon Plant in 1965. He retired as a senior research engineer after 33 years.

John was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Lugoff, served on the Finance Committee and taught Sunday school. Active in all his children’s schools, he served on the YMCA Board, was Scoutmaster of Troop 311 for 8 years and on the BSA Eagle Board of Review. He coached for the Recreation Department’s “Jr. Tennis League” for 25 years and tutored math at L-E High with a group of retired DuPont engineers for many years. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed playing tennis from age 11 to 77, when Parkinson’s Disease forced him to stop.

On April 30, 1955 he married Mary Virginia Shriner in Terre Haute, Ind. His wife survives him as do his daughters; Libby R. Campbell (Donnie) of Aiken, Kat R. Russell (Dan) of Cary, N.C; his son, Jim S. Rinker (Pam) of Goose Creek, 10 grandchildren; Beth C. Quick (Joe) of Lexington, Becky C. Wilkerson (David) of Lexington, Brian Campbell of Aiken, Tom Russell of Durham, N.C, Meg Russell and Anna Russell, both of Cary, N.C., Josh Rinker, Rachel Rinker, Sarah Rinker and Jake Rinker of Goose Creek; and 4 great-grandchildren, Logan and Korey Lynn Wilkerson, Julie and Leah Quick, all of Lexington. He is also survived by brothers, Robert G. Rinker (Dayle) of Santa Barbara CA and William G. Rinker (Barbara) of Moran, Wyo.; and in-laws, Zoe S. Carpenter of Battle Creek, Mich., Sally S. Beushausen (Jerry) of Woodland Hills, Calif., and Dr. Bill C. Shriner (Nancy) of Terre Haute, Ind.; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, John was predeceased by a daughter, Karen Lynn Rinker and sister, Dorothy R. Waltman.

Kornegay Funeral Home, Lugoff-Elgin Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the Rinker family by visiting:

www.kornegayfuneral.com

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