Fred C. Rinkenberger

Fred Carl Rinkenberger, 92, of Champaign, IL, went to be with his Lord on March 27, 2023, at Heritage Health: Therapy & Senior Care, Gibson City, Illinois.
 Fred was born February 25, 1931 at Gridley, Illinois the son of John F. and Anna Rinkenberger (Gasser). He graduated from Gridley High School in 1949 and joined the Air Force where he served as a radio operator in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean War.  Fred was married in 1954. He is survived by two sons, Dennis Rinkenberger (Mary Ann), Philo, IL, and John K. Rinkenberger (Donna), Urbana, IL; a daughter, Jean McConkey, Champaign, IL; and a sister, Ellen Gramm of Danville, IL.  Fred is survived by twelve grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Robert L. Rinkenberger; six brothers and spouses: Glenn (Eleanor), Arthur (Pearl), Clarence (Leona), Ralph (Rita), Dale (Nadine), and Lester (Arlene); and three sisters and spouses: Madlyn Rathbun (George), Mary Kaeb (Dave), and Helen Kahle (John) and a brother-in-law, Kenny Gramm.  After serving his country, Fred graduated from the DeVry Technical Institute, Chicago, IL in 1953. He then opened up a television sales and repair shop in Gridley, IL and then in Flanagan, IL. Later, Fred worked as an Insurance Agent for Industrial Casualty Insurance in central IL. He was a welder for Interlake Mecaluz, Pontiac, IL, from 1986 to 1996.  After retiring, Fred moved to Rantoul, IL to be closer to family.  Fred enjoyed telling stories about growing up on the farm with his many brothers and sisters.  He excelled in football, basketball and track and field in high school.  He had a love of sports, including the Fighting Illini, NBA basketball, local high school basketball and high school track and field events as well.  Fred enjoyed watching his grandkids and great grandkids play their various sports.  Fred was a good carpenter, enjoyed fishing, family gatherings, staying up to date on current world and political topics and enjoyed attending the annual John F and Anna Rinkenberger family reunions.  Fred was very patriotic--an active and lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. Funeral services will be at 11 am, Saturday April 1, 2023 at the Renner Wikoff Funeral Home and Crematory, 1900 South Philo Road Urbana, IL 61802. Pastor Paul Chapman will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 am to 11 am, one hour before the funeral.   Interment will be at a later date at the Gridley Cemetery, Gridley, IL. Condolences may be made at https://www.renner-wikoffchapel.com/ In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.  Donations may be sent by US mail to: Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703 Your check should be made payable to "Land of Lincoln Honor Flight".

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fred C. Rinkenberger, please visit our floral store.