Carrol "Sonny" Lee Rinehart Jr.

CARROL LEE “SONNY” RINEHART, JR., 75, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 6:17 pm, Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at his residence.

He was born to the late Carrol Lee and Mary Louetta (nee Erwin) Rinehart, Sr. on May 15, 1949 in Louisville, Illinois.

Sonny married Helen Maxine Loucks on October 21, 1978; she survives.

He had worked for the railroad, Chester Chrysler Plymouth, Menard Correctional Center, Gilster Mary-Lee Corporation and was a Police Officer for Sparta, Percy, Chester and Ellis Grove. Sonny retired in 2012.

Sonny was a member of Grace Church Ministries in Chester. He was also a life member of the V.F.W. Post #3553 and the Masonic Lodge #72 in Chester. Sonny enjoyed reading, working on guns and loved to spend time with his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his dogs.

He was a United States Army Veteran E5 Sergeant.

Survivors:

Wife:

Helen Maxine Rinehart Chester, IL

6 Children:

Carrol Lee (Allison) Rinehart III O’Fallon, IL

Shane J. (Stephanie) Rinehart Chester, IL

Debbie L. (Terry) Winkelman Chester, IL

Annette E. (Greg) Jones Chester, IL

Mark A. Beam Chester, IL

Kevin L. Beam Percy, IL

3 Siblings:

Donna (Steve) Herrell Chester, IL

William “Bill” (Arlene) Rinehart Murphysboro, IL

Timmy “Tim” (Amy) Rinehart Fredericksburg, VA

29 Grandchildren:

Desiree (Steven) Reid, Nick (Haley) Rinehart, Melanie (Chris) Arbuthnot, Tara Willig, Tison (Megan) Holley, Cody Wilson, Ashly (Paul) Bert, Alex Jones (Jack Huntley), Gregory Jones, Nick Jones, Khloe Beam, Brian (Sarah) Beam, Brad (Kim) Beam, Larne Luchaver, Michael (Andrea) Baughman, Travis Baughman, James Beam (Katie), Kristi Beam and Randy Beam

32 Great Grandchildren:

Everly Reid and Baby Reid due June 2025, Owen Rinehart, Libbie & Titus Brown, Carter & Creed Geralds, Aiden & Kale Willig, Kohen & Kimber Holley, Tinlsey Wilson, Jaden & Miles Bert, Marilea & Maya Jonas, Summer Jones, Avery Rhoades Dakota & Maleigha Beam, Landon & Kylie Hicks, Aaliyah & Peter Nguyen, Bethany, Brendan and Haley Baughman, Paxton Beam, Gage & Kynleigh Lynn and Brysen & Wesley Clinton

Preceded in Death by:  Parents and 1 Brother – Russel R. Rinehart

Funeral Service:

11:00 am, Saturday, February 1, 2025

Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Officiating:

Pastor Winford Wren

Interment:

Evergreen Cemetery

Chester, Illinois

Visitation:

Friday – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Saturday – 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Memorials:

Family Choice