Eleanor Brook Rinehart

Margaret “Eleanor” Brook Rinehart relinquished all earthly pledges to meet her Lord on December 25, 2024. She was serenaded into Heaven by her beloved husband, Vaughn, and reunited in Glory with their daughters Bonnie and Maria, befittingly, before the end of Christmas Day.

Visitation with family will be Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home in Statesville, NC, commencing at 1:00 PM followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM. There will be a graveside service at 3:00 PM at Iredell Memorial Gardens.

Eleanor was born in Mansfield, Ohio, October 27, 1927, to the late Charles and Mildred Brook. She and her identical twin, Ruth, were the eldest of six children. She was active in church, community, and 4-H. She was an accomplished seamstress, gaining national recognition through 4-H as a young adult. Eleanor graduated Madison High School in 1945, just before the end of World War II. If asked, she would share stories of using ration tickets, tying yellow ribbons, planting Victory Gardens, and making myriad sacrifices to support the war effort. WWII created unique workforce needs at Westinghouse (based in Mansfield, OH) where they sought the top students from the local high school to join their team. Eleanor and Ruth were selected for a highly coveted paid “internship” their senior year, and when they graduated, they were guaranteed full-time jobs in Payroll and Accounting at Westinghouse. Eleanor remained employed there until 1954.

October 11,1953 Eleanor married Lewis “Vaughn” Rinehart. The first of eight children was born to the couple in August 1954. As their family grew, there were several moves throughout the Midwest and Southeast. Eleanor was purposefully engaged as a mother and homemaker until 1972 when she began working in the business offices of Doughreagan Manor in Ellicott City, Maryland. In 1976 the family moved to Statesville, NC. Eleanor and Vaughn shared a life together for nearly 53 years, separated only by Vaughn’s death, April 25, 2006.

Eleanor cherished family time and exuded warmth, tenderness, and love. Her door was always open, her embrace was always warm, and her coffee was always hot. Her kind nature and heartfelt laughter were treasures that she gave freely and shared often. Her classic style and quiet grace were unwavering and captivating in every season of her life. If you crossed her path you remained on her heart and she on yours.

Together with Vaughn, and individually, Eleanor enjoyed square dancing, traveling to see family and friends, hosting family and friends, and participating in church and community fellowship and missions. She was a faithful follower of Christ and lifelong member of the United Methodist Church.

The church was an integral part of Eleanor’s life, not just as the place she led her family to worship, but she was also a skilled and devoted employee. In Statesville, she worked as an Executive Secretary/Administrative Assistant at Wesley Memorial UMC for 8 years; she retired from Christ Boulevard UMC in 2014 after 28 years at the age of 87.

Eleanor is survived by her children: Charles “Chuck” Rinehart (Janeen), Salisbury, MD; Diana Rinehart, Salisbury, NC; Michael “Mike” Rinehart (Trudy), Statesville, NC; Stephen “Steve” Rinehart (Tammy), Statesville, NC; Sheila Allsbury (Scott), Charlotte, NC; Julia “Julie” Williams (John), Statesville, NC; grandchildren: Katie Adams (Derek), Salisbury, MD; Christina “Christy” Barnes (Doug), Lancaster, SC; Ken Hipp (Tim), Denver, NC; Stephanie Kyle (Stephen), Newton, NC; April Oliver (Adam), Statesville, NC; Matt Oliver (Carly), Leadville, CO; Ashley Oliver (Ryan), Belmont, NC; Johnny Oliver (Becky), Ft. Bliss, El Paso, TX; Philip Kay, Spruce Pine, NC; William “Will” Allsbury, Charlotte, NC; Gregory “Greg” Allsbury, Charlotte, NC; and great-grandchildren: Maxx Pusey, Parks Pusey, Brady Adams, Peyton Adams, Asher Adams, Eleanor Barnes, Madison Quarles, David Oliver, Levi Sadek, Elizabeth Johnson, and Mateo Oliver (due in March 2025).

Surviving siblings include twin sister, Ruth Berry (Ray), Mansfield, OH; sister, Joann Barnhill (Vernon), Mansfield, OH; brother, William “Bill” Brook, Webster City, IA; and brother, Robert “Bob” Brook, Mansfield, OH. Eleanor is further survived by beloved extended family, special neighbors, and treasured friends. A 97-year-lifetime grows roots and branches too plentiful to designate, but they are proportionately cherished and exponentially vital.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband L. Vaughn Rinehart, two daughters Bonita Elaine Rinehart and Maria Yvonne Rinehart Kay, and a sister, Myrna Brook Clark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC, 28625.

Condolences may left for the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to serve Mrs. Rinehart and her family.