Obituary of Clifford B. Rhinehart

Clifford B. "Tip" Rhinehart, 79, of 4631 Bayview Road Bemus Point, died at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday (January 31 2012) in the Heritage Village Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility. He was born May 23, 1932 in Westfield, NY to Leigh and Lena Murdock Rhinehart. Tip graduated from Bemus Point Central High School in 1950, was drafted into the Army in 1952, serving overseas during the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged in 1953. He married Jeanette "Jeanne" Smith in 1953. He worked at Arnot, Hopes Windows, and Jamestown Laminating where he made and installed formica tops, from the Empire State Bldg., to a college in Peoria, Illinois, and various banks in the area. In 1972 he bought the Summit Lodge in Maple Springs, NY, operating it until 1997, during which time it was known as the "fun spot on Chautauqua Lake." He was named Western New York Volunteer fireman of the year in 1976 for saving two small children from drowning in a frozen pond. He served as fire chief for the Maple Springs Vol. Fire Department for thirteen years, and served as a fireman for over 50 years. He was a member of the Bemus Point United Methodist Church, Ellery VFW Post 557; and the Viking Lodge #65 for many years. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener, loving the great outdoors. His hobbies were, gardening, making maple syrup, hunting, and fishing, especially ice fishing. Tip was a man who earnestly served his community in any way he could and was especially adamant about marching every year in the local Memorial Day parade in honor of the army buddies who did not return from Korea. He is survived by his wife Jeanne Rhinehart of Bemus Point; three sons, Randy (Karen) and Scott (LuAnn) of Bemus Point; Michael (Laurel) of Easley, SC; a daughter, Christy Lane of New Smyrna Beach, FL; four grandchildren, Jennifer Owen and Daniel Rhinehart of NC; Amber Lane of Hawaii; Amber Hansen of Buffalo; and a brother, Bob of Ellington, NY. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Walter, Seth, and George; and a sister, Mildred Kesby. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He loved his family dearly. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Bemus Point United Methodist Church. The Rev. Daniel G. McBride, pastor, will officiate. Burial with full Military Honors will be in Bemus Point Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County 20 W Fairmount Ave Lakewood, NY 14750; or Maple Spring Fire Department 5385 Maple Springs Ellery road Maple Springs, NY 14756; or Alzheimers Association, WNY Chapter 2805 Wehrle Drive Ste 6, Williamsville, NY 14221-7380.