Don’s father passed away on the 5th of March, and Don gave us permission to post his father’s obituary as a tribute to his life.
Donald Ray Rinehart, 85, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, May 6, 2012. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Sharon United Methodist Church, 1809 Ninth St. SW, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Bob Dagit and the Rev. Brenda Ehret. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 11, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation, Cedar Rapids. Scattering of cremains at a later date.
He is survived by his wife, Willa; his children, Don (Tami) Rinehart of New River, Ariz., Lisa (John) Della Selva of St. Paul, Minn., and Ken Rinehart of Cedar Rapids; sister, Marjorie Dunham of Freeport, Ill.; four grandchildren, Christopher Rinehart and Nicole Irvin, and Natalie and Lauren Della Selva; stepgrandchildren, Keegan and Jess Boyer of Cedar Rapids; stepgreat-grandson, Owen James Caldwell; sister-in-law, Betty Stansberry of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Doyle Rinehart; and infant brother, Carol Rinehart.
Don was born April 15, 1927, in Kellogg, Iowa, to Carl and Marie (Hinshaw) Rinehart. He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1945 and served in the United States Army from March 1945 to October 1946. He married Willa Hahlbeck on April 13, 1952, Pender, Neb. Together, they had three children, Don, Lisa and Ken. Don worked as a medical administrator for the Veterans Administration, until he retired in 1983.
Don enjoyed playing guitar for the dance band of Leonard Reyman Band for over 40 years. His love for music and entertaining and watching others being touched by his talent was symbolic of the way he gave and received love with his family and those whose lives he touched. Don also volunteered at St. Luke’s Hospital for many years.