Eileen Rinehart

Eileen Lovell Rinehart of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at the young age of 97. She was born to Ralph William and Pearl Dorothy (Goodman) Lortz on May 9, 1929. Eileen was an only child for seven years until she was joined by brother Don.  Eileen was born and lived on a farm four miles west of Williamsburg, Iowa. She attended a one room school until it closed and she transferred to Williamsburg High School. There she participated in the band before graduating in 1947. During those years, Williamsburg hosted a local band competition, bringing in students from neighboring towns. It was during this classic small town scenario where one of the neighboring fellows, Elton Rinehart, and his friends, were driving around the square and spotted Eileen and her girl friends walking. Flirting most certainly began and the two dated and eventually married. First, Eileen attended business school in Cedar Rapids, IA and Elton joined the Marines. Many letters were written between the two during this time. Eileen met her college friend Theola while attending school. She was the daughter of the Anamosa State Penitentiary Warden. They became best friends and Theola was asked to be her Maid of Honor. She, of course, hosted a bridal shower in her home; the top story of the prison; quite a beautiful limestone facility. The couple married on September 3, 1950. They were blessed with two sons and a daughter over the next thirteen years. After spending eighteen years in Iowa, the family moved to Sturgis, Michigan in the summer of 1968. They bought a house built by the Sturgis High School building trades program. Eileen remained in the same home the rest of her years. She finished raising her family there and also worked as the office manager of Michigan CATV. This position was perfect for Eileen. She loved meeting the people in the community and enjoyed learning where they lived, what they did and all about their families. She was lovingly known as: ‘The Cable Lady’…or ‘Sarge’, by the linemen. If someone was admitted to the hospital after work hours, especially children, she would happily make a trip to the hospital to turn on the room TV (it was a little different in the 1960s and 70s). For a couple years she and Elton also opened a children’s clothing boutique - Rinehart’s Infant and Children's Wear. Eileen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, sang in the choir and played in the bell choir. After retiring, Eileen helped people who were unable to drive get to doctor’s appointments, worked at the church rummage sale and served in many behind the scene ways. Eileen also enjoyed walking. She continued walking even after she began to use a walker and no longer drove. Her good friend Lyman provided her with transportation to the Doyle Center, where on most Wednesdays around 1 pm, you could see her with her flashy pink walker taking a lap or two around the track - even a time or two after her 97th birthday. She inspired many. Traveling was another thing that Eileen enjoyed. She would go anywhere at the drop of a hat, once with only fourhours advance notice. While most trips were back to her home farm in Iowa, she traveled numerous places in the US as well as to Norway, Denmark and Sweden. She was especially eager to explore the places where her family originated. During road trips, a paper map was a must. She would trace the route with her finger on the current location. If she didn’t have a map, it was a long trip doomed with the question of “Where are we?” If she left the house in any capacity, Eileen was always prepared to break out her rain bonnet to protect her hair from any precipitation or wind. Eileen was a happy, positive, friendly, quietly resilient and strong woman. She wanted to be known and remembered for loving her family and friends - and that she did. She was the definition of the word Matriarch, keeping in contact with multi generations. She spearheaded yearly gatherings of the relatives in Iowa, staying in contact with the clans from both branches of the family, even after Elton died in 1983. She said she was still happy, even living alone after he passed, as long as she had a phone and could talk to people. In later years, when she was seldom out of her house, she stayed in touch with her local friends, often picking up the phone to chat away or welcoming them to her home. A “busy signal” was almost expected if you tried to call her. Her interest in you, and in who was important to you was sincere and true. She also enjoyed watching photos on her digital picture frame, which the grandchildren frequently updated. To say that Eileen was highly sentimental and loved her childhood may be an understatement. She could, and did, tell endless stories of the farm, family times and family history. Eileen was a keeper of every memory; a trait that led to her piles of “clutter” as she called them (remember those letters between her and Elton - or any card, letter, school program or church bulletin?). In later years, she would tell people she enjoys her alone time to read, but to her, reading was going through her “clutter” of memories and treasures. Eileen had a genuine gift for making people feel comfortable. She could see the best in everyone. She loved unconditionally (although she would scold you if you rudely interrupted her Thursday night routine of watching “Sheldon”). She was hard pressed to say anything truly negative about anyone - a real leader of how to show love and kindness. Her example is one that we could all learn from. Eileen was well loved, highly thought of, and will be missed by all who knew her. There will be holes in all of our hearts. We know they will be filled with fond memories and the stories we will now share. The family wishes to thank the countless people who supported and helped Eileen remain in her home until the end. You know who you are. You cared for and loved her. She loved you back. Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Elton, parents Ralph and Pearl Lortz, and her brothers Marvin (infant) and Don. We know Don and Elton are already teasing her and she is pointing her finger at them in return with “her ‘Eileen smile’ and ‘just you’.” Left behind are sister-in-law, Leo (Don) Lortz; sons, Lloyd (Kay) Rinehart and Laurel Rinehart; daughter Lisa (Steve) Babbitt; five grandchildren, Lisa (George) Graham, Lora (Scott) Berry, LeeAnn (Jacob) Isley, Travis (Valerie) Babbitt, and Tyler Babbitt (Clint Bunde); 11.5 great-grandchildren; and numerous special nieces and nephews. The family welcomes friends to a visitation Wednesday, July 8 from 11 am - 12 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Sturgis, Michigan. A service will be held in the sanctuary at 12 pm with a reception luncheon to follow. Eileen will then travel to her final resting place beside her husband, Elton. On July 10th, family and friends are invited to gather at Pilot Grove Cemetery, Williamsburg, Iowa between 10:30 and 11:00 am for hugs and greetings. A graveside service will begin at 11am. Following this service, a luncheon will be provided at noon in the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church fellowship hall in Williamsburg. If weather is inclement for attendance at the cemetery, Eileen’s family would still encourage you to join them for the luncheon. It is what Eileen wanted as a way to celebrate the wonderful life that she had. The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to either St. Joseph County Commission on Aging, 1200 W. Broadway Street, Three Rivers, MI 49093, First Presbyterian Church 1320 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091. We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com