Online Obituaries

Harry Rinkema

April 06, 1922 - January 19, 2012

Harry Rinkema of Naperville, IL, died January 19, 2012 at the age of 89. He passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was a loving husband to his childhood sweet heart Elizabeth and the proud father of Marsha Rinkema, husband Bill Davis; Bob Rinkema, wife Allegra Miller; and Linda Rinkema Jones, husband, James Jones. He lovingly spent his time with grandchildren Geoffrey Murphy, Peter Rinkema, Richard Rinkema, Emily Rinkema, Jessica Moment, Zachary Jones, and was predeceased by his namesake Matthew Harry Murphy. Harry was happily blessed with six great-grandchildren Henry, Evan, Stella, Ben, Ellie and Emilie. Harry was born in South Holland, IL in 1922. He was educated at University of Iowa where he played baseball and football. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1942 and served on a landing ship off the coast of Japan until the end of WW II. After being honorable discharged from the Navy he took a job as a salesman with Standard Oil Company which later became Amoco. He served as President of Amoco Italia and retired as Vice President of Marine Transportation in 1981. Harry lived in many places, including Connecticut, Georgia, and Italy, but he spent most of his time in the city of Naperville, IL. He loved having his daughter Linda and her family nearby, and enjoyed visits from his son Bob’s and daughter Marsha’s families. Whether playing golf, walking his Bedlington terriers, setting up the cribbage board, or treating his friends and family to dinners at the country club, Harry knew how to have a good time. He was a generous, funny, determined man, and he taught his family the importance of hard work, tolerance, honor and love. There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at Knox Presbyterian Church, 1105 Catalpa Lane, Naperville, IL 60540, after which, he will be laid to rest at Naperville Cemetery. Memorial visitation one hour prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/illinois[1] or by mail at Alzheimer’s Association/Greater Illinois Chapter, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631. Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Naperville, IL

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