Roy Lee Rinehart

Roy Lee Rinehart, age 95, son of Irvin and Effie Dale Rinehart, was born December 23, 1930, in Grant City, Missouri. He passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026, at Liberty Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services for Roy and his late wife, Jean, will be held at Hidden Valley Funeral Home in Lawson, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with visitation from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a combined Celebration of Life service.

Roy married Ellen Jean Brown on April 14, 1951, in Grant City, Missouri. Jean preceded him in death on December 7, 2024. They shared 73 years of marriage, building a life rooted in love, education, and family.

From this union, four children were born: Mitzie Lea Wiley (Mike) of Gallatin, Missouri, Cheryl Ann Deardeuff Swearingin of Lathrop, Missouri, Rodney Lynn Rinehart (Johnna) of Maysville, Missouri, Paul Douglas Rinehart (Dawn) of Cameron, Missouri.

Roy is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Scott Wiley, Bob Wiley, Vince Wiley, Sarah McCleary, Adam Deardeuff, Seth Deardeuff, Ethan Deardeuff, Bo Rinehart, Tyler Rinehart, and Blake Rinehart; three step-grandchildren: Kaycee Crockett, Adam Swearingin, and Trevor Stark; 23 great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Roy graduated as Salutatorian of the Class of 1949 from Grant City High School. He attended Northwest Missouri State College, later returning to Grant City to teach at Fletchall Rural School during the 1950–1951 school year.

On June 24, 1952, Roy was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, from 1952 to 1954. After his service, he returned to college and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in August 1955.

Roy and Jean lived in Maryville, Missouri, where Roy taught at Pickering High School from 1955 to 1957. They later moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where Roy completed his Master of Science degree, which included a Principal's Certificate, during the 1957–1958 school year.

The family returned to Grant City, Missouri, where Roy taught science and math at Worth County R-I from 1958 to 1964. During the summers, he attended classes at the University of Kansas and participated in a summer institute at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

In 1964, Roy accepted the position of High School and Junior High Principal at Worth County R-I, serving until 1973. In 1973, the family moved to Maysville, Missouri, where Roy served as High School and Junior High Principal. In 1983, Roy and Jean moved to Hamilton, Missouri, where Roy became High School and Junior High Principal, a position he held until his retirement in 1985.

On December 6, 1999, Roy and Jean moved to Lawson, Missouri, to be near their daughter Cheryl.

Roy's favorite pastimes included attending auctions, fishing, gardening, and collecting Zebco fishing rods and reels.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean; his sisters Fern Aldeen Motsinger and Fay Arlene Rinehart; his brother James Wesley Rinehart; his brother-in-law Channing Motsinger; his sister-in-law Joan Rinehart; his sons-in-law Galen Deardeuff/Earl Swearingin and his grandson Jared Deardeuff.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to United Christian Presbyterian Church in Lawson, Missouri, and/or Kirk Cemetery, c/o Joy Miller, 12492 Highway T, Grant City, MO 64456.

Graveside services will be held at Kirk Cemetery in Allendale, Missouri, at a later date.