Phyllis J. Rinkenberg
October 1, 1930-November 22, 2022
Phyllis J. Rinkenberg, 92, of Sheridan, passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Maple Park Village in Westfield following a battle with recently identified cancer.
She was born Oct. 1, 1930 in Plymouth, Indiana, daughter of the late Floyd and Zula (Kaufman) Maxson.
Mrs. Rinkenberg attended and graduated from Plymouth schools. During her senior year she began a two-year employment at a local ice cream and cottage cheese factory.
She married Robert L. Rinkenberg on June 13, 1948 in Plymouth. They celebrated sixty-four wonderful years of marriage prior to his passing on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. Together they journeyed through life as a Wesleyan pastor and wife, serving Indiana churches. Their journey began in 1955 at Plummer’s Chapel and later included serving congregations at Fowler, LaOtto and Fairmount before settling in Sheridan, where they served for nineteen years, retiring in 1990. During this time, Mrs. Rinkenberg served in numerous capacities, including Sunday school teacher, women’s group leader, church office secretary and Central Indiana Camp office manager.
She was best known by her grandchildren for making excellent pies and sugar cookies. Her family and friends benefitted from her gentle smile and dedicated prayer life. Mrs. Rinkenberg enjoyed crocheting afghan blankets and doll clothes, and had an extensive doll collection encompassing several rooms of their small house.
Survivors include her 3 sons J. Stephen (Melanie) Rinkenberg of Milford, Delaware, Bud (Sue) Rinkenberg of Kokomo and Keith (Ellen) Rinkenberg of Sheridan; brother Dennis (Lettie) Maxson of Plymouth; 9 grandchildren Tiffany, Samantha, Andrea, Laura, Jennifer, Jodi, James, Jacob and Joel; and more than a dozen great-grandchildren (with another great-grandchild due very soon).
She was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Zula (Kaufman) Maxson; 3 sisters Vivian Rankert, Audrey Keller and Marjorie Bowen; 2 brothers Floyd Maxson, Jr. and Richard Maxson; granddaughter Kathryn Rinkenberg; and her husband, The Reverend Robert Rinkenberg.
Services are scheduled to be held on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. at Six Points Church, 1545 W. 226th St., Sheridan, with visitation scheduled to run from 3 p.m. until the time of service.
An Interment Service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 in the Chapel at New Oak Hill Cemetery, 1300 Chester St., Plymouth. Pastor Scott McDermid will be officiating.
Memorial contributions may be presented or mailed to the Six Points Wesleyan Church, 1545 W. 226th St, Sheridan, Indiana 46069.