Walter Rhein, 91, of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2015, at Morris County Hospital.
He was born April 4, 1924 in Almyra, Arkansas, the 8th child of Frederick and Mary (Golden) Rhein. He graduated from Stuttgart (Arkansas) High School in 1942 and joined the Army in 1943.
Walter served in the Army in the Philippines during WWII and later in the Army occupation of Japan after the war ended. He transitioned from the Army to the Air Force in 1947 when the USAF was founded. He was stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador and several other Air Force bases in the US during his military career.
Walter met Mary Jean Malmgren in 1947, while stationed at Smokey Hill AFB in Salina, Kansas. They were married June 18, 1950, at Marion Hill Lutheran Church.
He retired from active service as a Master Sergeant in 1967, but remained in the USAF Reserves until 1977. When he retired from the USAF, he returned to his first love of farming.
He was a member of Simpson Methodist Church and served as financial secretary for many years. He was past Master of the AV Masonic Lodge and a member of the AV American Legion. He served on the USD 417 school board for 8 years.
Walter loved visiting family, gardening, singing in the church choir and watching sports.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Council Grove; children: Jean Taylor, Boise, ID, Rosemary and Randy Hayes, Maize, KS and Rebecca and Bret Combs, Easton, MD; grandchildren: Tiffany and Kent Broeckelman, Overland Park, KS, Tim and Karah Hight, Topeka, KS, Bill and Brenda Taylor, Boise, ID, Daniel and Sophia Combs, Charleston, SC and Sarah and Tony Ortega, Carlisle, PA; great grandchildren: Drew Broeckelman, Cooper Hight, Campbell Hight, Lili Taylor and Evan Ortega. He is also survived by his siblings: Earl Rhein, Philip Rhein and Irma Gustafson and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Vernon Taylor; siblings: Mary Louise Walker, Paul Rhein, Ralph Rhein and Ivan Rhein.
A memorial service for Walter will be held at 11:00am, Friday, May 1, 2015, at Simpson United Methodist Church in Alta Vista. Friends are invited to visit with family following the service. A private family inurnment will be held later at Marion Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Simpson United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel, Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.
The family is especially grateful for the care and attention provided to Walter by the staff of Council Grove Assisted Living, Diversicare of Council Grove and the Morris County Hospital over his later years.