William Rinehart

William E. “Gene” Rinehart, 88, formerly of Shippensburg, and a resident of the Orrstown Personal Care Home, died Sunday, February 27, 2011 in the home.
He was born January 13, 1923 in Broad Top, Huntingdon County. Gene was a son of the late Harry and Hazel Brown Rinehart.
He worked 37 years for Penelec, retiring in 1986. Gene was a member of the Grace United Church of Christ in Shippensburg and was a 1942 graduate of the Robertsdale High School. He was a United States Navy veteran of World War II and was a member of the Oscar M. Hykes American Legion Post # 223 and the Durff-Kuhn VFW Post # 6168, both in Shippensburg.
Gene joined a growing list of “mountain boys” to enter the Huntingdon County Sports Hall of Fame and was a member of the Broad Top Old-Timers Hall of Fame. After his playing days were over, he became an umpire and worked games for 20 years from 1967-86 in the Cumberland Valley Umpire’s Association. He was a PIAA-registered official, as well as for American Legion baseball. He worked many college baseball games at Shippensburg University and Gettysburg College.
Gene’s family would like to express their gratification to the Orrstown Personal Care Home for their excellent loving care during his two plus years at the home.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Lou Brumbaugh Rinehart, three daughters; Karen S. Keefer and her husband William of Shippensburg, Joyce R. Shirley of Enola, and D. Kay Bolo and her husband Martin of Manassas, VA, six grandchildren; Janet Whetzel, Traci Fick, Dustin Keefer, Scott Shirley, Todd Shirley, and Allison Shirley, seven great grandchildren, three brothers; Glen Rinehart and his wife Martha of Broad Top, Harry Rinehart, Jr. and his wife Patty of Saxton, and Robert Rinehart and his wife Carol of Shelocta, two sisters; Ruth Black of Duncansville, and Dixie Heaton of Broad Top, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a grandson, Bradley Keefer, a son-in-law, Donald Shirley, a brother, Wayne Rinehart, and two sisters; Betty Rinehart and Judy Deluca.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 12:00 noon in the Grace United Church of Christ 121 East Orange Street, Shippensburg, PA 17257. Officiating will be The Rev. George W. Heckard. Burial with military honors conducted by the Shippensburg VFW and American Legion Posts will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held Wednesday morning one hour prior to the services in the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Uplifting Athletes, P.O. Box 1298, Camp Hill, PA 17001-1298.