Jack Johnson Rhinehart

Jack Johnson Rhinehart, 96, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2023 at Robin Johnson House with his beloved family by his side. He was born in Haywood County, North Carolina on February 22, 1927 to the late William Rhinehart and Agnes Henson Rhinehart. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years Shirley Elizabeth Kilpatrick Rhinehart, his sisters, Catherine Hannah and Nancy Bell.

He was a graduate of Bethel High School in Canton, North Carolina.  In 1944 he then enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Euryale and USS Nereus. Jack completed Boot Camp in Jacksonville, Florida and shipped out of Oakland, California to go overseas. He earned two victory medals, American Area and Asian Pacific Area, and he was a first-class seaman.  He was discharged from Norfolk, Virginia in June 24, 1946. He returned to Canton, North Carolina and there he married his beloved wife, Shirley Kilpatrick Rhinehart and worked at Champion paper mill. He moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan and worked at America Seating Company for two years until the steel strike. He moved back to Canton and attended Blanton Business College in Asheville, North Carolina and then moved to Charlotte and started working at Akers Trucking Company in 1951 as a dispatcher. He was employed there for 28 years until they closed. In 1978, he began working with the Carolina Western Trucking Company for 12 years until he retired and then worked part time at McLean Funeral Directors. He was a dedicated member at East Belmont Baptist Church in Belmont, North Carolina, where he served as a deacon. Jack was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He enjoyed his breakfast with his fellow friends at White’s Restaurant and later Medical Center Pharmacy.

 He is survived by his children Jackie and husband Dean McMahon, Karen and husband  Wallace Hardy, Joey and wife Donna Rhinehart; grandchildren, Chad McMahon, Ashley McMahon Surigao, Charlie Tidwell, Allison Tidwell Bansen, and Jim Kinley; great-grandchildren, Parker McMahon, Leyton McMahon, Brooke Tidwell Merck, Jessica Tidwell, Joshua Surigao, Jude Surigao, Benjamin Bansen, Jack Bansen, Lane Bansen; great great grandchildren, Aimee Paulina Isidro, and Charlie Rae Merck; sister Patty McNeil and husband Ray of Canton, NC.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home, with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 Noon in the Chapel with military honor by the U.S. Navy and Gaston County Honor Guard, Pastor Jeff Taylor will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to East Belmont Baptist Church, 501 Catawba Street, Belmont, NC  28012 or Robin Johnson House, c/o Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054  

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com