Donald Rinkliff

Donald E. Rinkliff, 87, of Chillicothe, passed away at home on Tuesday, June 26, in the care of his family after a short illness.     He was born on September 11, 1930 to the late Floyd and Nell Rinkliff.   On April 25, 1954, he married Marian L. (Maynard) Rinkliff, who survives.   He is also survived by his children: Dr. Sharon Stanley, Colonel (Ret) US Army, Chillicothe; David (Masae) Rinkliff, Dallas, TX; and Dr. John (Nikki) Rinkliff, Greenville, SC; grandchildren: Ben (Dr. Adrienne), Nick (Mary-Beth), and Joel Stanley; Midori, Kevin, and Emi Rinkliff; Abby, Zack, Katie, and Becca Rinkliff; great grandchildren: Julianne and Josh Stanley; Katarina, Chip, and Andy Stanley; and several nieces and nephews.   In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his sister Joann Highland and her husband John; brother-in-law Jerry Maynard and his wife Wanda; brother-in-law Ted Maynard; and son-in-law Mark Stanley.   Don was a lifelong resident of Chillicothe, graduating from Chillicothe High School in 1948 and earning an Associate Degree from Hocking College.   He started his career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1954, working for 36 years at the Chillicothe Post Office and retiring as postmaster and district manager of 78 southern Ohio post offices.   He loved to share stories of his time as a paper boy for the Chillicothe Gazette and a Kroger produce manager.   Serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, he was assigned to Spandau Prison in Berlin, Germany, where he guarded Nazi war criminals after the Nuremberg Trials.   He never saw a home repair that he could not fix, whether it be plumbing, wiring, flooring, drywalling or roofing.   To quote Don, he was married to "one heck of a woman" for over 64 years.   He loved camping and traveling around the United States with Marian and they wintered in southern Texas for the past 15 years.   Don was a member of Grace Bible Church of Jackson.   He came to the knowledge of salvation through the ministry of Pastor Harlan Alspach of Chillicothe Bible Church.   He was faithful both to the Word and to his family.   Scripture:   Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.   The family would like to thank Hospice of Adena Health System and the hospice staff who wrapped him in care during his last weeks of life.   Friends are invited to join the family for a graveside service to be held on Monday, July 2 at 10:30 AM in Grandview Cemetery with Pastor Matthew Hawley of Miami Valley Bible Church officiating.   There will be no calling hours.   Arrangements are under the direction of the Haller Funeral Home.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Grace Impact Ministries at www.graceimpact.org .
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Donald Rinkliff , please click here to visit our Sympathy Store .