DE SOTO, Mo. -- Robert "Bob" E. Rinkenberger Sr., 66, of De Soto died Saturday, April 27, 2002, at his home.

He was born July 15, 1935, at Towanda, Ill., son of Edward L. and Dorothy E. Blakney Rinkenberger. He and Betty Sue Shimkoik were married March 22, 1958, in Joliet, Ill.

He was inducted into the U.S. Navy on April 1, 1954, and was honorably discharged as a teleman, second class, on Jan. 25, 1958. He worked 18 years at the main post office in St. Louis, retiring in 1990. From 1990-1993, he owned and managed the former Our Place Cafe in Valles Mines, Mo. He was a member of the Agape Faith Church in Valles Mines.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Kathleen "Kathie" Shedron of Hillsboro, Mo.; a son, Jeffrey Rinkenberger of St. Louis; two brothers, Billy Rinkenberger of Ravenal, S.C., and Larry Rinkenberger of Lockport, Ill.; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Agape Faith Church in Valles Mines and from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, Mo.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Glenn Gowan officiating. Burial will be in New Bethel Cemetery near Pocahontas, Mo., with a graveside military honors service.