Obituary of Earl L. Rineer

Earl Leroy Rineer, 101, of Blue Bell, PA, passed away on 16 August 2024 at his residence, Normandy Farms Estates. 

Earl was born 6 January 1923, in Wyndmoor, PA, to Earl Leroy and Bertha Elizabeth (Rambo) Rineer. Earl attended Springfield High School (PA) and joined the Army following his Graduation in 1941.  He served his country in WWII in France and Germany and after moving to Lafayette Hill where he lived for the next 60 years, he served on the Whitemarsh Township Police Force while becoming a skilled tradesman in the tool and die industry.  Earl wasalso a lifetime volunteer member of the Barren Hill Fire Company.  

Earl’s children have fond memories of yearly vacations to Ocean City, NJ and the Pocono Mountains as well as extended trips across the United States in their pop-up trailer.  He wanted his children to experience their own beautiful country before exploring the world beyond, which they also did.

Earl emigrated as a tool maker to Australia for two years to see how this trade was done ‘down under’.  It was there that he met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. From that point on, his life was dedicated to the service of others to glorify God.  Earl served with Christian Literature Crusade, World Vision, the Philadelphia Bible Society, Teen Haven, and the Montgomery Co. Fireman’s Association. He also volunteered as a camp counselor and weekly camp Director for adults with special needs at Camp Swatara,Bethel, PA for many years and volunteered his time in prison ministry. His greatest joy was sharing the love of Jesus with the children he drove while working as a school bus driver for Sague Bus Co in Lafayette Hill.

He lived a long and full life and made a difference in the lives of everyone he met. 

Earl was predeceased by his parents, Earl “Roy” and Betty (Rambo) Rineer; siblings: Samuel Rineer, Ray Rineer(Elaine), Margaret Rineer, Norman Rineer (Ginny), and Pearl Pfeiffer (Bob, deceased) as well as his first wife, Rose Marie “Sweetie” Rineer (McCartney). He is survived by his wife Sallie Ann Rineer (Coppes); children: Hugh(Mary) Rineer of Tulsa, OK, Rose Ann Westerfer of Jeffersonville, PA, Gerald Rineer (Yogi) of Dover, DL,Raymond Rineer of Collegeville, PA, and Esther Rineer of Lafayette Hill, PA; six grandchildren: Justin (Courtney)Rineer, Brendan (Lindsay) Rineer, Jessie Rineer, Ian(Alyssa) Westerfer, Pierce Westerfer, and Malachi Rineer;and five great grandchildren: Jack, Clara, Alyssa, Brendan, and Cian, and many nieces and nephews. 

Earl was known for and fond of saying: “Even though I have never been to Africa or Kenya, I understand how difficult it is to survive in the Third World. I have seen children “live” in the streets of Bombay, India, and Tijuana, Mexico, and poverty villages of Indonesia. I lived during the Great Depression and survived times in the Army. I know the Lord Jesus died for the sins of all men and He has given me more than any man should have.”

A memorial celebration will be held at Normandy Farms Estates, 9000 Twin Silo Drive in Blue Bell on Monday, September 16th.  Visitation will begin at 2:30 followed by the memorial service and light refreshments. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to: The Philadelphia Bible Society PO Box 468 Conshohocken, PA 19428 or,  ACTS Legacy Foundation for Normandy Farms EstatesSamaritan Fund PO Box 2222 Fort Washington, PA 19034.