Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Rinker, Richard "Dick"Allen August 22, 2021
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Patricia Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net September 9, 2022, 8:42 am

Ionia Shopper's Guide-Sat. September 4, 2021

Richard Allen Rinker

Richard Allen Rinker, age 88  passed away peacefully on August 22, 2021. He was 
born on February 3, 1933, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, son of Albert and Thelma 
(Harwood) Rinker. He was the oldest of three children. Richard is preceded in 
death by his parents and sister-in-law, Patricia Rinker. Richard is survived by 
his loving wife of 43 years, Elsa (Sempertegui) Rinker; brother, Ron Rinker; 
sister, Mary (Mort) Slowinski; step-sons David (Stephanie) Cozzarelli, Robert 
(Jane) Cozzarelli and Dino (Lisa) Cozzarelli; grandchildren, Monica (Alex) 
Copelan, Robert "Tito" (Alvia) Cozzarelli, Lauen (Adam) Charron, Andrea (Nick) 
Cozzarelli, Marie and Anthony Cozzarelli; nephew Peter (Sarah) Rinker; 
grandnephews, Jackson and Jameson; great grandchildren Casey Jo Charron, 
Charlotte, Cecelia and Calista Copelan.

Richard "Dick" graduated from Ionia High School in 1951 and served proudly in 
the Korean War with the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956. Richard 
studied at Central Michigan university and design at the Chicago Academy of Fine 
Arts and worked in retail in Illinois and Michigan before moving to Columbus, 
Ohio, where he later met and married the love of his life, Elsa. Richard was an 
adoring husband, loving stepfather and grandfather and an avid storyteller and a 
huge Buckeye fan. He loved talking sports and evn sold 69 ties (all 
different==no blue or maize! to Woody Hayes on Christmas eve for his national 
championship team in 1968. Richard had his own bookkeeping business serving many 
local businesses in and around Columbus Ohio for over 20 years. Richard was a 
great bowler and played in the Senior Professional Bowling League loved playing 
poker with  his friends, and enjoyed time with his family. Richard and Elsa 
moved to Asheville, NC to help take are of their grandchildren and Richard 
worked for the Grove Park Inn for many years, serving as a concierge and he and 
Elsa playing Santa and Mrs.Claus for guests and visitors for many years each 
Christmas. Richard and Elsa later retired and returned to Columbus where they 
enjoyed many friends. For all who knew him, Richard was the ultimate optimist 
and could always bring a smile to your face! He will be missed dearly.

Special thanks to the staff and friends at Mayfair Village and Heartland Hospice 
for the loving care they provided Richard.

A Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.In Lieu of flowers 
friends may contribute to St.Jude's Hospital for Children 
(https:/www.stjude.org/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now), or 
Heartland ProMedica Hospice Memorial Fund 
(https://www.promedica.org/waystogive/hospice-memorial-fund/donate/)

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/r/rinker43881nob.txt

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