John A. Rinko

John A. Rinko, of King George, passed away Friday, October 3, 2025 at the age of 89. Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was the son of the late John and Anna Danello Rinko.

John was a graduate of Coughlin High School. He then enlisted in the Navy, and served on the USS Harold J. Ellison. He graduated from Wilkes College in accounting and worked for more than 30 years for the General Accounting Office specializing in Defense procurement. Career highlights include hundreds of reports and Congressional testimony, serving as professional staff for the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee, and appearing on ’60 minutes’ with Morley Schaefer.

John was a passionate musician and enjoyed fitness and gardening. He loved working on projects, and woodworking projects for his family. His most beloved role was husband, father, and grandfather. He and his wife, Lettie, enjoyed over 60 years of marriage. He was predeceased by his sister, Ann, and his brother, Joseph. Surviving him is his wife, Lettie, his son John D. and his wife Terri, his son James and his wife Meredith, his daughter Linda Phinney and her husband Jason, his grandchildren Anna, Franklin, Vivian, William, and Mark, his sister-in-law, Bonnie, his nieces, Lora Gombac, Daniell Burkholder, Lisa Henry, Derinda Cogar, and nephew AJ Cogar.

Visitation will be at Storke Funeral Home, 11089 James Madison Parkway on Tuesday, October 14 at 5-7 PM. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, October 15 at 11 AM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 5486 Saint Paul’s Rd, Dahlgren, VA 22448.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 18th at 9:30am from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00am in St. Mary of the Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church, 695 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. The Reverend Michael Kerestes, Pastor, will be Celebrant. Interment with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Family and friends may call Saturday morning from 9:00am until time of services.

Memorial donations may be sent to Equipment Connection (1503 Princess Anne St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401) or Scouting America (www.donations.scouting.org). Equipment Connection is the disability Resource Center’s free adaptive medical equipment reuse program, and provides adaptative equipment to the greater Fredericksburg area.