Bethany, MO: Imogene Rinehart, age 94, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023 in Bethany, MO at Harrison County Community Hospital.
She was born May 29, 1929 in Bethany, MO. She was adopted by Clarence and Pauline Clarke at the age of four.
Imogene graduated from Bethany High School in May of 1947. She was united in marriage to Lee Rinehart on October 17, 1947. Together they had one child, Clarke Lee Rinehart.
Imogene loved her church. Music was always an integral part of her life, and she served as a soloist, pianist, and organist for the church choir. She was a charter member of “Sweet Adelines” and sang in a trio for several years with two of her closest friends. In 1948 she was hired as a legal secretary for W.V. Mayse, a career which lasted 40 plus years. Imogene, together with her parents and husband, owned and operated “Clarke’s Furniture, Gifts, and Appliances” for over 50 years. Her husband, Lee, spent his final years in Crestview and during this time Imogene served as Assistant Activities and Music Director there. Her experiences serving that role inspired her writing of poems and verses. Her poem “Life’s Highway” was published in The International Library of Poetry in 2006. Her first poem “A Caregiver’s Prayer” was a tribute to patients and families whom she served during her years at Crestview.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Lee.
She is survived by her son, Clarke (Penny) Rinehart of Bethany, MO; special friend and nephew, Paul Mitchell of Blue Springs, MO; granddaughter, Kellie (Grant) Rice and three great grandchildren of Chicago, IL and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 6 at the First Baptist Church, Bethany, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment in Miriam Cemetery, Bethany, MO will be held at a later date. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to Miriam Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com