Lloyd Virgil Rhinhart

Lloyd Virgil Rhinhart, age 92, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026 in Walla Walla, WA.  Lloyd was born in Pendleton, Oregon on July 25, 1933 to Virgil and Phroenie (Fahrenwald) Rhinhart.  He grew up in the Pilot Rock area at times attending one-room schoolhouses as a youth and graduating from Pilot Rock High School in 1951.  In 1952 he married Joan (Deel) Rhinhart whom he first met with their church youth group. They spent 73 years together until their death; never being apart until their very last days for a temporary time during his illness.  Lloyd as a young man worked for Cascade Gas and then for the City of Pendleton Fire Department for 19 years.  But his true passion and vocation was farming.  He began farming the “home place” in Pilot Rock as a 19-year-old young man and continued to purchase wheatland over the years to turn it into a full-time operation.  He never wanted to do anything but farm and reluctantly retired after harvest when he was 79.  Lloyd was an expert auto and farm mechanic and worked on all his own farm equipment.  He was a member of Pendleton Grain Growers and served as a director.

Lloyd was a life-long member of the First Christian Church in Pendleton.  He served in many capacities over the years as deacon, elder, Board member, building and grounds, and teacher.  He was the only one who could maintain and work on the very old church furnace for many decades and when he turned that responsibility over - laughingly it was time for the next generation to upgrade to an easier heating system.  His faith and his church life were of paramount importance to him and he raised his family in that tradition. 

He was preceded in death by his sisters Rosemary McCullough and Shirley Lindsey. 

Lloyd is survived by his children Susan (Dan) Leathers of Dixie, WA, Debbie (Phil) Bondurant of Covington, WA, Karl (Carolyn) Rhinhart of Helix, OR, and brother Gary Rhinhart of Pendleton, OR.   In addition, he has six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

Joan his beloved wife passed away on the same night as Lloyd on April 1, 2026.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at the First Christian Church in Pendleton at 11:00 on Saturday May 9 for all friends and family.

“When I have come to the end of the road, and the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in gloom filled room, why cry for a soul that’s free?
When you are lonely and sick at heart, Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrow doing good deeds, Miss me – but let me go.”