John Galen Rineer, 95, of Lampeter and later at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community went to his heavenly home on December 5, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Quarryville on November 1, 1923, he was the son of the late Howard C. and Retta A. (Wimer) Rineer. John’s early life was in Quarryville, and then his family moved to Strasburg, where he and his 5 brothers and 3 sisters enjoyed life along the Pequea creek. John’s service to our country began at age 19 in the US Army. After training, in Virginia and Georgia, he volunteered for the US Army’s Third Airborne, where he became a co-pilot in the Gliders. As World War II continued, he then spent 15 months in New Guinea as a machine gunner with a squad under his guidance. Then in the Philippines, John became part of The Great Raid, a night-time surprise raid on Cabanatuan Prison Camp that freed over 500 servicemen from the Bataan Death March. He went on to Japan, where he witnessed the signing of the peace treaty and was discharged later in December 1945. After his service to our country, he began his career in 1947 with Landis Bros. progressing from service technician to salesman, and later joining the business as vice president. John went on to become the president/CEO of the firm of 50 employees before his retirement in 1988, for 42 years of service. John was married to Betty (Winters) for 69 loving years, having a family of 3 daughters -- Brenda, wife of Ted Fay of Lampeter, Cheryl Hershey of Willow Street, and Bev, wife of Jim Doughty of Strasburg; along with grandchildren: Bryan and Jen Fay, Megan Hershey, Jamie, wife of Matt Himmelberger, Katie, Lindsay and Tiffany Doughty and 3 great grandchildren: Sydney Fay, Micah and Caleb Himmelberger and a brother, H. William Rineer (Ruth), as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers: Robert, Richard, Walter, Jacob “Pete”, and sisters: Laura, Helen (Allen) and Mary (Krewson). For over 45 years, John was a member of Christiana Masonic Lodge, Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Reading Consistory 32nd degree, Reading Shrine Club, and the Lancaster Shrine Club. He was also a 50+ year member of International Order of Odd Fellows IOOF, and was past Grande. As a civilian, John was a 50+ year member of Strasburg VFW, where as Commander he started the Halloween parade in 1953, and was chairman of the Memorial Day parade for 35 years; he was honored as Grand Marshal in 2017. He was also a past member of Paradise American Legion and a member of the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge of Quarryville, class of 1991. John was a lifetime and active member of Zion U.C.C in New Providence, where he participated in the Men’s Fellowship and consistory.
John and Betty loved to travel to many places including Australia, Germany, Hawaii as well as to the cabin near State College and their beach home in Ocean City, MD. He loved fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, mowing lawn, and playing Santa. John’s congenial personality, drew folks to him creating a huge circle of friends. His family and friends will miss his kindness, generosity, humor, and storytelling. His memory and strong spirit live on in those he leaves behind. Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Zion United Church of Christ, 900 Winter Hill Road, Strasburg, PA at 10:30 A.M., followed by interment in the Quarryville Cemetery with Military Honors provided by Lancaster Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard. A Public Viewing will be held at the church on Monday evening from 6:00 until 7:45 p.m. with Masonic Services beginning at 8:00. There will not be a public viewing on Tuesday. Please omit flowers; contributions may be made in John’s memory to Lancaster Red Rose Honor Guard, PO Box 8601, Lancaster, PA 17604-8601 or Compassus Hospice, 2101 Oregon Pike, Suite 301, Lancaster, PA 17601. The family would like to thank the nursing staff and volunteers of Compassus Hospice and QPRC for all the loving care John received during his time with them. To send an online condolence, please visit www.dewalds.com Comments are closed.
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