Dewey Rinker

Dewey Lane Rinker, age 89, of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, passed away at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Mt. Vernon Place Care Center. He was born April 28, 1937, in Chesapeake, Missouri, the son of Arlis and Estel (Roach) Rinker.

Dewey was a 1955 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. He worked for Dayco Products in Springfield, Missouri, and later owned/operated a radiator shop in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. 

He enjoyed golfing and working on lawn mowers.

On December 1, 1973, he married Judy Ellison, in Miami, Oklahoma.

Dewey is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judy; two daughters, Debby Stone of Mesa, Arizona and Karen Carl of Chesapeake, Missouri; three sons: Dwight Rinker of Mt. Vernon, Missouri; Richard McSwain and his wife, Jenny, of Excelsior  Springs, Missouri; and Thomas McSwain and his wife, Anitta, of Mt. Vernon, Missouri; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three great, great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Dewey was preceded in death by his parents, Arlis and Estel; three brothers, Eugene, Billy Ray and Lowell Rinker and three sisters, Olive Reynolds, Lueda Elliott and Fern Phillips.

A visitation under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon will be held from 2-3 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Living Water Church in Mt. Vernon with a funeral service to follow at 3 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at the Campground Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.