MELVIN PARK RINEHART
Melvin Park Rinehart was born April 25, 1927, to Verne and Nina (Rice) Rinehart on a farm north of the “Nation” in Worth County, MO. Park was welcomed by his sister, Hope, his brother, Bill, and later, another sister, Iris, joined the family. Park died on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Clearview Home with his family at his side at the age of 93 years and four weeks.
Park attended country school in Missouri until fifth grade when the family moved to Iowa. He then attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from Mount Ayr High School with the class of 1944.
After graduation, Park joined the U.S. Navy and was trained as a radio operator. He was on a ship headed for the Philippines when World War II ended. He served out his time in Navy stateside and was honorably discharged in 1946.
On June 12, 1949, Park was united in marriage to Ruth Joan Lesan at the Methodist Church in Mount Ayr. To this union, two sons were born; Neil Evan in 1951 and Lynn Eric in 1954. Park and Joan lived on a farm south of town in Rice township for almost 50 years. He was a good steward of the land and enjoyed the quiet life that living in the country can offer.
In the fall of 1997 Park and Joan moved into their new home in Mount Ayr and were able to reside there until health issues prompted a move for both of them into Clearview Home five months ago.
Park was preceded in death by his parents, Verne and Nina, parents-in-law, Glen and Mabel Lesan, his three siblings and their spouses, Hope and Billy Wyman, Bill and June Rinehart, Iris and Gary Webb, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Lorraine Lesan, sister-in-law, Betty Lesan, and an infant granddaughter, Keely Rinehart.
Park is survived by his loving wife of almost 71 years, Joan. His legacy lives on through his sons, Neil and wife, Sheila, Lynn and wife, Kathy. His beloved grandchildren include Allison (Justin) Billodeau, Matt (Lorraine) Rinehart, Korbie Rinehart and Tanner (Tess) Rinehart. Park was loved by his great grandchildren, Greyson, Grant, Sully, Keely, Clyde, Ike and Harper. Park is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Rex and Marilyn Lesan.
Park will be remembered as a gentleman who loved his family deeply and saw the good in everyone.
He will be sorely missed.
Services was at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, IA.
Officiating was Rev. Emily Peasley. Eulogy was by Kathy Rinehart.
Special song was “Well Done” and was sung by Korbie Rinehart.
Casketbearers were Tanner Rinehart, Troy Lesan, Joe Powell, Jerry Sobotka, Merle Walter and Brett Yoder.
Honorary casketbearers were Matt Rinehart, Lorraine Rinehart, Allison Billodeau, Justin Billodeau, Korbie Rinehart and Tess Rinehart.
Military honors were by Ringgold County American Legion and US Navy Honor Guard.
At rest at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr, IA.
Memorials to Mount Ayr United Methodist Church and Camp Courageous.
