Ben Rinehart, Sr.

   Benny Dale Rinehart, Sr., Lt. Col., USMC, Ret., 87, of 912 West Queen Street, Edenton, NC  and more recently of The Landings of Albemarle, died there on Monday, April 15, 2024.

   Mr. Rinehart was born in Louisville, Illinois on August 29, 1936, and was the son of the late Delbert Lowell and Charlene Luceal Atchison Rinehart. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Spencer Rinehart; a daughter, Linda Dale Rinehart Green; a brother, Albert Lowell Rinehart; and a baby sister, Jacquelea Rinehart.

   Lt. Col. Rinehart’s military career spanned more than 22 years, serving in both the Army and Navy before joining the Marine Corps. Service included a tour of duty in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. As an aviator, he flew 1,120 missions in combat and earned the Silver Star Medal for heroic actions, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart among many other commendations, citations, and awards. At the time of his retirement, he was the Commanding Officer of Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 269.

   After retiring and moving to his wife’s hometown of Edenton, he managed his father-in-law’s business, Worth Spencer Plastering, later worked as the production manager, plant manager, and company pilot for Seabrook Blanching Corp. for 10 years, and then opened his Real Estate appraisal business before retiring a third time.

   A member of Edenton Baptist Church, he had served as deacon and an active member of the Baptist Men, had been a member of the Edenton Lions Club, Post 40 of The American Legion, the Marine Corps League, and had been a volunteer pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, flying out of Edenton and covering the Outer Banks.

   Surviving are his children, Beth Rinehart Evans (husband, Jasper), Delbert Worth Rinehart (wife, Paula), Benny Dale Rinehart, Jr. (wife, Sonya), all of Edenton, and Glenda Kaminski (husband, Steve) of Lakeland, FL; and two sisters, Sandra Bible of Louisville, IL and Debra Tommasetti of Hazleton, IN. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, Naythen, Sarah, Erin, Ellie, Bailey, Spencer, Anna, Katie, Holli, and Kimmi; nine great-grandchildren, Hayden, Maci Kate, Parker, Blake, Shelby, T.W., Sylvia, Bennett, and Sloane; and one great-great-grandchild, River.

   Funeral services will be held Friday, April 19th, at 11:00 a.m. in Edenton Baptist Church and will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Koby Strawser and the Rev. Jon Reese. Friends may visit with the family at a reception in the social hall immediately following the church service. The burial with full military honors will be in Beaver Hill Cemetery and will follow the reception.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Edenton Baptist Church, 200 South Granville Street, (and be designated for the Parking Lot Fund or the Choir Fund), or the Edenton-Chowan Food Pantry, P.O. Box 643, both in Edenton, NC 27932.

   The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staffs of The Landings of Albemarle and Amedisys Hospice for the care and comfort given to their loved one during his period of declining health.

   Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Homes & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.