Life-long Chesterton resident Dorothy L. Rinker died Monday, Dec. 6, 2004 at the waters of Duneland Health Care Center. She was 78.

She was born Sept. 19, 1926 in Chesterton, the daughter of Harley and Bertha (LaHayne) Witte, both of whom preceded her in death.

On Sept. 1, 1946 in Chesterton, she married Hartcel R. “Bud” Rinker, who survives in Chesterton.

She is also survived by a daughter, Linda Rinker, of South Bend; a son, Guy (Sandy) Rinker of Westville; a daughter-in-law, Diane Rinker of Wheatfield; four grandchildren, Fred (Laurie) Rinker of Wheatfield, Michelle Rinker of Wheatfield, Becky (husband Richard Snyder) Rinker of Indianapolis and Kellie (Kyle) Kaiser of LaCrosse; a sister, Betty (Jerry) Smith of Portage, Mich.; four great grandchildren, Soren, Evan, and Elizabeth Rinker and Deven Kaiser; a niece and nephew.

She was also preceded in death by a son, Fred Rinker.

Dorothy was a home maker and a member of the Mayflower Society. She loved working with arts and crafts and had bowled in a league for 30 years. She also enjoyed photography.

Funeral services, Pastor Rod Huber officiating, will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton. Cremation will follow at Calvary Crematory, Portage.

The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or to the National Kidney Foundation.

Posted 12/8/2004