Louise and Marlin Rinkel
Louise Ann Rinkel (Flath), 85, departed to meet her Savior, Jesus, on Friday, January 29, at 6:36 pm at Anderson Hospital, with loved ones near. She was born on June 14, 1935 in Marine, IL, the daughter of Arthur L. and Evelyn N. (Nobs) Flath. Louise married her high school sweetheart, Marlin G. Rinkel on June 26, 1955 at Eden United Church of Christ in Edwardsville, IL. They lived-in short-term residencies within 35 different states as she traveled with Marlin with his work as a telephone technician. Louise, when working, was employed in Troy all of her life. In high school, she was a “soda jerk” at the Troy soda fountain inside the local drug store. Later she was employed by G. A. Schaffer Savings & Loan which was later bought out by The Bank of Edwardsville where she retired at 62 as a loan officer.
She was preceded in death by her father, mother, sister, Loretta L. (Ron) Clayton and brother Arnold A. Flath.
Louise was a loving and devoted wife, cherished mother, grandmother and great grandma. Surviving are husband Marlin, two children, Mark C. Rinkel of Daytona Beach, FL and Linda K. (Larry) Gieselman of St, Jacob, IL; four grandchildren, Katie L. (Ben) Kist of Perryville, MO., Melissa (Matt) Bryant of Bangor, ME, .Michael J, Gieselman of St. Jacob, IL, Erin L. (James) Barron of Columbus, OH, and two great grandchildren, Mira Bryant (3 yrs. old) and Jacob Kist (11 mos); sister-in-law JoAnn Flath of Troy and many other relatives and friends.
She enjoyed being active with her family and friends and over the years was involved in the following organizations as either a member or in a leadership role: Troy Cub Scout Troop 38, Troy 4-H. Friedens United Church of Christ Church Board, Choir and Frieden’s Women’s Guild; Troy Women’s Club, Troy Historical Society; the Edwardsville branch of the Illinois Home Extension; Red Hats; Troy United Methodist Women’s group, UMC Chicks with Sticks and playing pinnacle with her girlfriends in her earlier years. Louise enjoyed being a homemaker, artist and was an exceptional seamstress throughout her whole life.
Marlin George Henry Rinkel, 85, departed to meet his Savior, Jesus, and join his beloved wife, Louise, on Monday, February 8, at 7:48 pm at Anderson Hospital, with loved ones near. He was born on March 2, 1935 in the family farmhouse in Edwardsville, IL, the son of George August Rinkel and Edna Dorothea (nee Poos).
Marlin married his high school sweetheart, Louise A. Flath on June 26, 1955 at Eden United Church of Christ in Edwardsville, IL. They lived-in short-term residencies within 35 different western states as an independent contracted telephone switch office technician. He later formed his own company, Rinkel Electric, Inc. and later continued in the communications services industry until retiring at age 65.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, George Allen Rinkel, brother-in-law Henry L. Noeltner, niece Norma Jean (Matthew) Chlibec, nephew Jimmy Knetch, sister Elaine and brother-in-law (Howard) Knecht, and his wife Louise.
Marlin was a loving husband, devoted father, cherished grandfather, and great grandpa.
Surviving are two children, Mark C. Rinkel (of Daytona Beach, FL) and Linda K. (Larry) Gieselman of St. Jacob, IL., four grandchildren, Katie L. (Ben) Kist of Perryville, MO., Melissa A. (Matt) Bryant of Bangor, ME., Michael J. Gieselman of St. Jacob, IL, Erin L. (James) Barron of Columbus, OH, and two great grandchildren, Mira D. Bryant (3 yrs. old) and Jacob W. Kist (11 mos.). Also surviving are sister Lynette J. Noeltner of
Waterloo, IL, brothers Paul C. (Vickie) Rinkel of Maryville, IL., and Richard L. (Judy) Rinkel of Madison, AL. and many nieces, nephews, relatives. and friends.
Marlin enjoyed tinkering with miscellaneous projects indoors as well as spending time outdoors doing yardwork and watching birds and wildlife outside in his back yard. He was highly active with his family, friends and of course the grandkids and great grandchildren. Over the years he was involved with the Troy Lion’s Club, Friedens United Church of Christ, and later Troy United Methodist Church. He performed maintenance/electrical work when needed and was active with the UMC TUMs group, Bocce Ball Team and attended two of the Men’s Ministry groups (the Saturday morning and Tuesday breakfast groups).
A Celebration of Marlin and Louise lives will be held 11 am on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Troy United Methodist Church, with Rev. Andy Adams officiating.