Helen Rinker Obituary

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN - Helen Joan Webster Rinker was born on July 25, 1932, which was her mother's 32nd birthday, in Osceola, Iowa, and died on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at her daughter's home in Signal Mountain, TN. She was 90 years old.

Helen was raised on a farm in Woodburn, Iowa, and attended 1st – 8th grade in a one-room schoolhouse. She attended high school at Osceola, Iowa and graduated with an Associates' Degree from Tri-Cities Technical College. Helen was employed for 25 years by Tennessee Eastman Company. She married Richard (Dick) Rinker, in 1951, and they had 6 children.

Growing up, Helen helped her father raise Black Angus cattle and various crops to support the cattle. Her dad often said she could drive a team of mules better than any person he could hire. She had a natural love for animals, and over the years had many beloved pets. Helen played guard on her high school girls' basketball team and always enjoyed watching sporting events – especially anything played by an Iowa or Tennessee college team. Through the influence of her husband, Helen grew to love theatrical productions, including Broadway plays and operas. She also loved classical music, as well as hymns and country music. Helen loved traveling, reading, gardening, and crossword puzzles. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. Previously, she was a member of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church in Kingsport. In addition to Iowa, Helen also lived in Fort Riley, KS, Rochester, NY, Kingsport, TN, Knoxville, TN, and Signal Mountain, TN.

Helen was pre-deceased by her husband, Richard Rinker, in 1990, an infant son, Richard Douglas Rinker, her parents, Sam and Elizabeth Webster, infant sister, Anita May Webster, sister, Joyce Webster Richardson, son-in-law, Bill Dunn, and an infant grandson, Eli Thomas Merritt.

Surviving family members are sons, Bruce Black (Cloverdale, CA), David Rinker and wife, Risha Moody Rinker (Norristown, PA), and Charles Rinker (Christiansburg, VA); daughters, Marilyn Dunn (Knoxville, TN), Linda and husband, Tom Wyatt (Signal Mountain, TN), and Sarah Merritt (Sevierville, TN); grandchildren and great-grandchildren are John and wife, Lindsey Wyatt (daughter Anna), Mark and wife, Lindsay Wyatt (children Drew, Alex, Knox and Harper), Joe Dunn and wife, Carrie Fry, Amy Dunn, Adam and wife, Kristen Rinker (children Calvin and Marlowe), Leah and husband, Fran Daulerio (children Genevieve and Simon), Alex Merritt, and Maggie Merritt and husband, Austin Moore (son Owen).

Visitation and funeral services will be at Appalachian Funeral Home in Johnson City on Monday, June 5, 2023. Visitation will begin at noon and funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM and will be officiated by the Reverend Vanessa Potter.

Graveside committal service will follow at 2:00 PM in Monte Vista Memorial Park, Johnson City. Pallbearers will be John Wyatt, Mark Wyatt, Alex Merritt, Adam Rinker, Joseph Dunn, and Austin Moore.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.appfh.net.

Appalachian Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 800 E. Watauga Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, is honored to serve the Rinker family. (423) 928-6111