In Loving Memory
Lester F. Rhinehart
August 13, 2021

Lester Rhinehart – a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and faithful friend to many - passed away on August 13, 2021 at Upstate University Hospital surrounded by his wife and loving family. He was 74.

Lester was born in Oswego, New York on June 14, 1947. He was one of five children born to Fred and Irene (Baker) Rhinehart.

Lester graduated from Mexico High School in 1966. At the age of 18 he went to work at Armstrong Industries (now Interface Solutions) in Fulton, NY as a tinsmith where he stayed until he retired at the age of 55 in 2002. Lester enjoyed playing softball with the Samurai team, fishing, bowling, camping, playing cards, driving his tractor, watching his grandchildren play sports and sitting on the sidelines for any Mexico athletic event which garnered him the Mexico Fan of Year Award. He liked tending to his family’s small farm, helping the Searles family with hay, visiting the New Haven Building Supply and making his “morning run” for coffee where he would check in on the Village of Mexico DPW and the Town of New Haven Highway Department. His most treasured pastimes include fishing trips to Black Lake and visiting Maine and Pennsylvania with this wife, dear friends and family.

He was predeceased by a brother, Barry “Beefer” Rhinehart; brother-in-laws and friends Robert “Bob” Hager and Larry Burch; dearest fishing companions Arthur (Art) Dunn and Eric Kurhelia as well as his parents.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 52 years, Helena Darrow Rhinehart, married on August 1, 1969; sister Anne Burch of Rome, NY; brother John Rhinehart of New Haven, NY; sister Nelda Hager of Sandy Creek, NY; daughter Heather and husband Hadwin (Had) Fravor of Mexico, NY; son Josh and wife Amy (Fravor) Rhinehart of New Haven, NY; his beloved grandchildren Reed Fravor, Hannah Fravor and Tanner Rhinehart; several nieces and nephews; dear friend Richard (Dick) Cronk and the Burrows, McCollum, Oustrich, Searles and Woolson families.

There will be no calling hours or services. Arrangements are in the trusted care of the Harter Funeral Home, 9 Washington Avenue, Mexico, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Lester’s honor by check or money order to McFee Ambulance or the American Cancer Society.

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