Gordon Dale Rinehart

Gordon Dale Rinehart, 91 and World War II Veteran of Alliance went to his heavenly home on Wed., May 3, 2017 at Danbury Senior Living Center.
Born on August 14, 1925 in Morgantown, WV to Erley and Effa Rinehart, he was the ninth of ten children and was raised in a Christian home near Glenville, WV. He moved to the Alliance area in 1952.
He was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Glenville (WV) State College and received his master's degree from the University of West Virginia with postgraduate work at Cornell, Kent State, Marshall, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan, Western Reserve, and Dayton Universities. His teaching majors were physics, mathematics, and comprehensive science. His master's degree was in education administration. Rinehart taught at Ravenswood (WV) High School, B. F. Stanton Junior High School and Alliance High School before he became an administrator at Marlington High School where he worked for 16 years until his retirement in 1986.
Numerous awards included: Jennings Scholar (1967), AHS Teacher of the Year (1968), Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year(1981) and Lexington Ruritan Club Professional Man of the Year (1985). He was Chairman of the Science Department at AHS for 13 years, Past President of East Central Ohio Teacher's Association and Past President of the Alliance Education Association and a lifetime member of the NEA, OEA, and AARTA.
Gordon proudly served his country in World War II as a Boatswain's Mate in the Navy's 117th Division of the Seabee's Construction Unit building airstrips on Saipan from which B-29 bombers could operate. He was awarded the Expert Rifleman, the Pacific Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, and the Victory Medal. While stationed in Hawaii he was asked to be the librarian since he had one semester of college completed before enlisting. In their Quonset hut he established a library and arranged stateside phone calls for the unit. He said the best thing that happened in Hawaii was that he learned to type which was definitely an asset later when he became a teacher.
Gordon loved music and he loved entertaining people, not only with music, but with humorous stories, quips, and antidotes. He was a member of the Alliance Masonic Choir and started his own country western group, The Ramblers, where he sang lead and played guitar.
He was extremely active in the Masonic lodge. He was a 33rd Degree Mason, Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st Masonic District, Past Master of J.E. McFadden Masonic Lodge, Past Most Wise Master of the Brenton Chapter of the Rose Croix, Member of the Ohio Lodge of Research, Past President of the Alliance Shrine Club, Past President of the Alliance Scottish Rite Club, Member of Tadmor Shrine Club, Knight Templar, Order of Eastern Stars, Royal Order of Jesters, and Red Cross of Constantine.
As an active community member, Rinehart served on the Salvation Army board for 22 years, was a Member of the American Legion, Past Trustee at First Presbyterian Church, Past Elder and Deacon at Science Hill United Church of Christ and ushered at The Chapel in Marlboro. He was honored to be selected as Grand Marshall of Carnation Parade in 1995.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Haddad Rinehart, whom he married in 1994; daughters Karen Rinehart of Minerva; Linda (Lans) Stout of Atlantic Beach, FL; Marsha (Shawn) Graham of Alliance; six grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; two great-great grandsons; sister Gwendolyn (Jim) Vanest of Canton, OH; brother Wendell (Barb) Rinehart of North Canton.
Preceding him in death was: his parents; his wives Dorothy (Mundy) Rinehart (1982) and Helen (Cope) Francis Rinehart (1993); siblings Kathleen Saunders, Carmen Moss, Byron Rinehart, Rosemary Rinehart, Elaine Wright, Clifford Lee Rinehart, and Ramona Louise Sterner.
Cremation has taken place and calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 7 from 2-4 p.m. at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home. Masonic services will start at 2:00.
His presence will be deeply missed by the many that knew and loved him. An amazing man whom we will never forget and whose memory will always make us smile, his life will be celebrated at A Celebration of Life at Science Hill Community Church at 12316 Beeson Ave. at 11:00 a.m. on Mon., May 8 with a luncheon to follow. A private burial will take place at Highland Memorial Park in Beloit.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marlington Alumni Association, P.O. Box 6001, Alliance, OH, 44601; to Alliance Hospice, 2461 W. State Street, Alliance, OH 44601 or to the (Shrine) Alliance Transportation Fund, c/o Jean Barber, 11470 Homestead NE, Alliance, OH 44601.
Arrangements are with Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home.